Thank you for caring for your neighbors, both near and far. When Mercy Chefs Founders, Gary & Ann LeBlanc, first arrived in Ukraine, they had no idea that Mercy Chefs would serve as one of the key relief organizations providing food and critical supplies to those on the front lines of this vicious war. They have traveled with our teams to these devastated cities and helped distribute food to families hiding in basements and subway stations, and they will never be the same. It's hard to even imagine how the surviving people of Ukraine must feel.
We wish we could adequately convey to you the gratitude we witness from these desperate refugees as they receive your support. People who felt abandoned are handed food that will feed their family for the week, and suddenly they no longer feel alone in this war. Your generous support has paved the way for Mercy Chefs to continue this vital relief mission that has now been underway for nearly two months.
This week, we surpassed 1.75 million pounds of food and resources delivered directly to those caught in the crossfire of this horrible war.
Will you continue to stand in the gap for the people of Ukraine? I ask you to be in constant prayer for those who are trapped in this terrible conflict. Please pray for Mercy Chefs and other international relief organizations to be able to help as many people as possible. Please pray for these atrocities to end.
If you have already shown your support for Mercy Chefs' Ukrainian refugee relief, thank you so much for your kindness. To make a tax-deductible gift, please go here.
If you prefer to mail your charitable donation, checks can be sent to Mercy Chefs at 711 Washington St, Portsmouth, VA 23704.
April 24, 2022: update
Mercy Chefs remains committed to serving in the center of the need. This past week, Mercy Chefs surpassed 1.5 million pounds of food and resources delivered directly to civilians caught in the crossfire of this horrible war. Our team traveled to serve an orphanage comparable in size to a large hospital housing children, mothers, and others searching for a safe haven. Our heart is to provide them with hope. We're celebrating the needs that have been met, and the lives that have been touched by our efforts as our mission holds steady. #StandWithUkraine
April 16, 2022: video update
We are continuing to send aid to supply and support our Ukrainian brothers & sisters in need thanks to your generous giving. Keep praying for #Ukraine
April 13, 2022: partner letter update
We received a heartbreaking... and heartwarming... letter from one of our relief partners working inside Ukraine. This faithful servant wrote to thank Mercy Chefs (and friends like you) for making it possible to reach so many thousands in desperate need. Their letter also included some shocking facts surrounding the real horrors of war now being inflicted on the people of Ukraine.
These are not palatable statistics: There are no pleasant reports from a battleground.
- 1,100 bombs have been dropped on Ukraine in the first 22 days of the war.
- 12 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes.
- Nearly 4 million civilians are now refugees in other countries throughout Europe.
- 15,000 Ukrainian babies have been born amid the chaos of war.
- 178 children have been murdered.
Yet in the midst of this horrible war, there are still signs of hope as people stand together to bring relief to those in need. Our partner shared several notes of appreciation from those who have been on the receiving end of your generosity.
"We thought everyone had forgotten us, but we are not forgotten."
- an elderly man, 78 years old, Myrne Village
"We feel your warmth because of your help."
- a mother and her 3 children (refugees from Kharkiv)
"Never in my life have I asked for help. Moreover, I have felt ashamed to accept it, but now is the time that it is impossible [to survive] without it."
- a young boy, his mother, and his grandmother (refugees from Chernihiv)
This week, our team is working to deliver tens of thousands of pounds of continued relief supplies to Ukraine. For those trapped on the front lines and the millions who have been displaced, the horrors of this war are very real and ever-present.
Thousands of civilians are depending on aid from Mercy Chefs and our partners just to make it through each terrifying day.
As you are able, will you partner with us this week to continue vital relief efforts for Ukraine? If you have already shown your support for this mission, thank you so much for your compassion. Go here to make your tax-deductible gift.
It has been our great honor and privilege to work with our relief teams who are loading food and supplies at the Mercy Chefs warehouse on the border of Ukraine. Every ounce of the more than 1.25-million pounds of critical resources we have distributed has been made possible by friends like you. Thank you for your steadfast support. We cannot go unless you send us.
April 12, 2022: update
This week, UNICEF shared that two-thirds of Ukraine’s children have been displaced since the beginning of the war.
These are some of the children we delivered fresh fruit and other vital resources to. Their entire world has been turned upside-down, and it won’t ever truly go back to “normal.” Our heart breaks for them, but we are committed to providing as much hope and comfort as we can through food.
April 11, 2022: update
In John 21, Jesus shares this intentional command with his followers:
Feed my sheep.
At this time, Ukraine remains a war zone but our hearts continue to be focused on the mission of Christ. We must respond in love and continue to share hope. This week we are asking all of our volunteers to join us in a dedicated time of prayer for Ukraine. Please join us as we #StandWithUkraine: prayforukraine.mercychefs.volunteerhub.com
April 10, 2022: update
Many of you have asked how you can get involved and help right now in Ukraine. This week, 24 hours a day, we ask you to join us in covering our team and all of our local partners providing tangible relief into Ukraine with prayer. Will you stand in the gap for the people of Ukraine? 🇺🇦
Sign up for your hour-shift: prayforukraine.mercychefs.volunteerhub.com
April 9, 2022: update
It is times like these that we can share in each other’s sufferings and also each other’s victories. Even something as terrible and brutal as a war has the power to bring us closer together. Our hearts are continually turned towards the men, women, and children of Ukraine who have been so brave in the face of turmoil. Thank you for joining us as we #StandwithUkraine as we do our best to continue #FeedingBodyandSoul for those in need.
April 8, 2022: update
We are so honored by the love, prayers, and ongoing support that you have shown as we provide practical needs to the beautiful people of Ukraine. The unity we have seen behind our efforts is powerful. Your support has helped us fill the warehouses and deliver basic necessities to as many people, both young and old, that we can find. It’s never too late to contribute to this cause. Just $20 can feed a family for 5 days! Go here: mercychefs.com/ukraine to support 🇺🇦
April 7, 2022: update
Take a peek into one of our warehouse operations in Romania to support Ukraine. With your support and the willing hearts of local partners and volunteers, we are #feedingbodyandsoul! To get involved, go here: mercychefs.com/ukraine
April 5, 2022: video "thank you!" from Ukraine
April 4, 2022: scripture update
This scripture is a driving force behind our mission at Mercy Chefs.
Pictured are residents of a village just outside Kharkiv who were blessed by your kindness. They are families. They are mothers with young children. They are people, and they are hungry. Thank you for sending them something to eat!
April 2, 2022: video update
A look at what you've made possible in Ukraine — over one million pounds of food & supplies safely delivered! Click on the video link below.
April 1, 2022: delivery update
March 30, 2022: supply update
March 28, 2022: Family Survival Boxes update
$20 can feed a family of four for 5 days in Ukraine 🇺🇦 With your help, we’re sending fresh produce with family survival boxes full of necessary pantry staples. War has shaken everyone there, especially the mothers and children with husbands and sons fighting for their country. You can send them hope today. Go to mercychefs.com/ukraine to provide a survival box ❤️
March 27, 2022: 1 million pounds of food and supplies delivered
This weekend, we crossed the threshold of delivering 1 million pounds of food and supplies into Ukraine! Though this is a significant milestone, we know there is still so much to be done here. From our entire Mercy Chefs team, we thank you for standing with us and faithfully supporting our efforts here with your prayers, financial contributions, and telling those you know about our mission. #FeedingBodyAndSoul isn’t possible without you!
March 26, 2022: CNN Update
March 25, 2022: delivery update
March 24, 2022: Video Update
An inside look at how we’re delivering thousands of pounds of food into Ukraine daily!
March 24, 2022: Family Survival Boxes Update
We’re sending fresh produce with family survival boxes full of necessary pantry staples. These boxes will feed a family of four for 5 days for just $20. These Ukrainian families are still trying to make it day to day in their war torn homes. You can support now at mercychefs.com/ukraine and share hope in the form of a meal.
March 23, 2022: story update
Story from Ukraine 🇺🇦
Whenever possible during food deliveries, our partners will find parents with children in desperate need and give them safe transport to the border and out of Ukraine. Recently after dropping off food in Kharkiv, a pastor was helping a mom and her son evacuate the city. During the drive back to the border, he handed them two biscuits because he could tell they were hungry. But something strange happened... The boy barely ate the biscuit. He only nibbled at its edges.
The pastor was puzzled, until the mom explained that they hadn’t had anything of significance to eat in about three weeks, and the boy wasn’t sure how long he needed to make the biscuit last. At the first opportunity, the pastor stopped the vehicle and made sure the child had plenty to eat. They were not going to go hungry any longer, and this mother and son were finally headed to safety, away from the senseless violence and suffering.
March 22, 2022: video update
March 21, 2022: update
Over the weekend, our team traveled once again to the war zone to deliver fresh fruit and other resources.
In subway stations and basements, young children and mothers were found. Their faces lit up as we served them fresh apples, oranges, and bananas. For these children, a single piece of fruit was the highlight of their week!
The needs we are seeing in Ukraine are immense but so is our love and commitment to serving these people in great need.
March 20, 2022: delivery update
Along with our friends from Reach Initiative International, the vans in these photos delivered supplies to multiple refugee locations deep into Ukraine.
We are reaching tens of thousands of people — both refugees fleeing into Romania and those sheltering inside Ukraine, trapped in cities and towns at the epicenter of the fighting. The stories we are hearing are unfathomable. Nevertheless, we must continue to step out and respond with an outpouring of love and hope.
March 19, 2022: delivery update
As of this week, Mercy Chefs and our partners have delivered over 612,000 pounds of food to Ukraine. We are also assisting the humanitarian groups who are working at the border housing and caring for the refugees. Our warehouse has become one of the key supply depots to support these displaced families. It is an honor to open our doors and provide hope and love in the midst of such horrific circumstances.
March 18, 2022: update
March 17, 2022: video update
UPDATE: Mercy Chefs is on the ground in southern Ukraine delivering truckloads of food daily to those in need. A local Ukrainian pastor told Chef Gary: “We’re not asking for gold — we’re just asking for food.” As the devastation continues, we have a window of opportunity to continue delivering food into Ukraine, but we need your help! To support our work, go to mercychefs.com/ukraine
March 16, 2022: update
We are working at every turn to meet the needs our team is seeing firsthand at the Ukraine border. Doors continue to open allowing us to maintain regular delivery routes into areas of greatest need. We cannot give up, and we cannot do any of this without your support! #StandWithUkraine
March 15, 2022: update
March 14, 2022: update
When we learned that baby formula was in critical shortage inside Ukraine and at the crowded borders, we initiated a worldwide search to bring this life-saving resource to refugees with infants in need. God is faithful. Blessedly, Mercy Chefs is now distributing 4,000 cans of specialized nutrition to parents and caregivers of hungry babies still sheltering inside Ukraine and those fleeing across the border into Romania.
March 13, 2022: update
March 12, 2022: update
PRAISE REPORT: Along with the support of Bethel Global Response, local Ukrainian churches, and our missionary friends, Mercy Chefs has successfully delivered over 40 tons of food and resources to the frontlines in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
As refugees are sheltering in orphanages or subways in frigid temperatures, we are fighting to respond to the urgent need to get as much food into Ukraine despite the climate. The lines to flee the country have not ended. Car-lines 15 kilometers long while the miles of those traveling by foot spread 7 kilometers or more. We are heartbroken yet motivated to do everything we can to help these beautiful people. #StandWithUkraine
March 11, 2022: update
Chef Jon is on the ground in Romania with an update on Mercy Chefs food and resource supply lines into Ukraine. Miraculous doors have opened!
March 10, 2022: update
This war continues to escalate, and the people of Ukraine are devastated. Essentials such as baby formula are in worldwide shortage and almost impossible to find. There is no pain like that behind the forced smile on the face of a loving mother trying to comfort a starving child. Miraculously, Mercy Chefs has been able to acquire 4,000 cans of infant formula from a supplier in the Netherlands. The cost is monumental, but this vital nutrition will save countless precious lives. These critical supplies will be delivered to our Romanian warehouse Monday (3/14/22) to be distributed directly to refugee hospitals and parents of infants in need. None of this would be possible without your support and prayers — thank you. #StandWithUkraine #FeedingBodyAndSoul
March 9, 2022: update
March 8, 2022: evening update
Mercy Chefs and our relief partners are making inroads deep into Ukraine. Yesterday, one team delivered thousands of pounds of food and basic necessities within 10 kilometers of the battle lines — just one of multiple distribution points we are working along the Romanian border and within Ukraine.
Today, multiple, large food deliveries are inbound and headed for our warehouse. We just obtained pallet racks for the warehouse which will help us to better organize and distribute we are receiving more expeditiously. We plan to reach tens of thousands more in the coming days.
Mercy Chefs is committed to doing whatever we can do to provide the greatest amount of relief for those who need it the most. #StandWithUkraine
March 8, 2022: morning update
March 7, 2022: Update
The situation on the Ukraine border is heartbreaking, and conditions are worsening daily. Mercy Chefs is here to provide immediate, tangible relief in the form of food and supplies for weary refugees crossing into Romania and for those still sheltering inside Ukraine. Sixteen years' experience responding to natural disasters has prepared us to address this crisis, and our protocols and procedures have translated well. The Mercy Chefs team is uniquely skilled in procurement, logistics, and distribution; we are applying this expertise to best serve the hurting people of Ukraine.
None of this would be possible without your prayers and support.
Prayer Request: As doors continue to open for us to expand our response, we ask you all to continue to pray for strength and endurance for all of the local churches who are partnering with us so selflessly and fervently.
March 6, 2022: Update
UPDATE: Mercy Chefs continues to charge towards the desperate need we see unfolding in #Ukraine. Because of your support our Suceava, Romania warehouse is delivering supplies across the border into Ukraine daily. This pipeline for product distribution is essential to provide basic supplies and necessities to people still inside the country. We couldn’t do any of this without your support! #StandWithUkraine
March 5, 2022: morning update
In the midst of so much turmoil, it's been incredibly humbling to see firsthand how people are coming together to help the refugees and those still inside Ukraine living in the midst of this war. The hospitality of the people of Romania to their Ukrainian neighbors has been inspiring. Families are sharing their homes and opening their businesses to receive refugees. People are coming out to help feed and house those arriving at the border. Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, and as you can, partner with us as we reach tens of thousands in need.
🇺🇦 mercychefs.com/ukraine 🇺🇦
March 4, 2022: Fox News update
Watch the full interview here: video.foxnews.com
March 4, 2022: morning update
At 6:15 AM (EST) this morning, 41,394 pounds of food exited Cluj to make the 6+ hour drive to our warehouse space near the Ukrainian border. Chef Jon, a Mercy Chefs team member on the ground, will receive these 22 pallets of food and supplies and prepare them for local churches and organizations to truck them into Ukraine across various communities. This is the first of many truckloads we’re coordinating across the region. This is what you’re making possible! We thank you for your continued prayers and support ❤️
March 3, 2022: evening update
We’re honored to be supporting local churches along the border to bolster the great work that they’re doing. In the coming days, we’ll launch our distribution effort from our warehouse location on the border. From this warehouse, trucks will be loaded and deliver basic necessities (shelf stable food, infant formula, diapers, hygiene products) across the border to various locations in Ukraine.
None of this would be possible without your generous support and sustained prayers! Thank you for standing with us as we do everything we can to meet these needs. mercychefs.com/ukraine
March 3, 2022: morning update
Watch this update from Chef Gary LeBlanc on the ground at one of the Ukraine/Romania border crossings. "We're here delivering supplies into Ukraine. We've set up a warehouse a few miles from here," he says. "Mercy Chefs is here discovering how we can best help in as many areas as we can."
March 2, 2022: evening update
Mercy Chefs has secured a warehouse space in Romania to receive and distribute donated product and groceries. This will serve as our hub to reach as many people in need as we can.
Doors are opening — keep praying! Tomorrow, our goal is to get thousands of emergency meals to refugees in Romania and to Ukrainians still caught in the crossfire.
March 2, 2022: morning update
Right now, our team is providing immediate relief on the border of Romania and Ukraine while simultaneously coordinating efforts both for those who've crossed the border and the flood of fleeing refugees.
There is a shortage of everything: food, water, infant formula, diapers, medicine.
We must press through to help these people. God is opening doors, hour by hour! Today, we secured a warehouse space on the border to help us coordinate supplies that are coming in from multiple groups. We are working to establish a field kitchen immediately to prepare meals and feed the refugees.
This family crossed the border from Ukraine into Romania yesterday. This father was able to flee because he has four children. He's pictured here with his wife, children, sister, and mother.
These families came from Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine but didn’t know each other until they arrived at the store. Others came from Kyiv where many of the bridges had already been destroyed. They escaped going through fields and around. After arriving safely to Romania, they feel guilty because they made it but some of their friends were left behind.
The trauma these families have gone through to reach safety is unimaginable.
February 28, 2022: evening update
You've seen the news. We want to let you know that Mercy Chefs has team members in the air traveling overnight to provide immediate food relief for the Ukrainians crossing the border into Romania. As soon as tomorrow, we will begin mobilizing emergency relief food packets to the border working with our international relief partners. Our team will be assessing the long-term needs and opportunities for continued relief. We are working to provide the most support we can for those in desperate need of basic necessities. We appreciate your prayers as we move forward during this difficult situation. Learn more at: mercychefs.com/ukraine
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