I just heard from Gary LeBlanc of Mercy Chefs -- Grassfire's disaster relief partner. Gary's team is on the ground in Lake Charles, the epicenter of Hurricane Laura's devastating strike.

There is NO POWER and NO WATER for miles, and many people urgently need relief. Gary's team will be serving HOT MEALS TODAY but they urgently need help. See below for details.

I'm asking the Grassfire team to step forward in a big way this weekend. Could you band together with other Grassfire friends and help sponsor 5,000 meals? I know it's a big goal, but the need is urgent.

It costs just $50 to sponsor 20 meals; $100 will help put a hot meal in the hands of 40 hurricane victims. Perhaps you can do even more. Every gift will help. Go here to make a tax-deductible gift to help Hurricane Laura victims in Lake Charles, and see below or more details.

Steve Elliott, Grassfire

P.S. My family is sponsoring 80 meals today. Would you consider matching me? Every gift will help. Go here:

From: Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs
Subject: Hurricane Laura: Situation is DESPERATE
Date: August 28, 2020 at 6:30:14 PM EDT
To:  Steve Elliott

Friday P.M. from Lake Charles

Steve,

The situation here is DESPERATE.

There is absolutely NO water to be found.  It's like something we've seen only a few times before, and COVID further complicates the logistics of this deployment. Lodging has been incredibly difficult to secure (as you can see from this photo, this hotel was totally destroyed) -- probably no air conditioning or running water for showers for our team.

We've faced widespread power outages AND no running water only a few times on deployments. No power is difficult enough. NO WATER MEANS EVERYONE IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF CRISIS.

Despite all the challenges, we are pressing on and doing everything we can to serve our FIRST MEALS TOMORROW AT LUNCH because the need here is so desperate. Thankfully, we were able to secure a water tank truck which makes meals possible.

I'm not sure what else to say. We are going to need a massive influx of help in the next 48 hours just to get our systems going and get meals to this desperate community.

You know our need. Please ask the Lord how you can help and then go here to make your best possible tax-deductible gift to help Mercy Chefs provide hot meals to Hurricane Laura victims and volunteers while we continue other vital efforts:

My heart is broken by what I'm seeing.

This will be one of the more challenging deployments we've faced of late, but seeing the desperation all around me makes me even more determined to work and pray to find a way.

Thank you for helping to make a way! 

God bless,

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs