I'm sure you're hearing the news...

Nashville just got hit with a massive tornado strike. Twenty-two are reported dead and dozens of buildings have been destroyed.

I just heard from my friend Gary LeBlanc of Mercy Chefs -- Grassfire's disaster relief partner. Mercy Chefs is deploying to Nashville right now and hopes to be serving hot meals to first responders, victims and volunteers as soon as tomorrow.

This is a practical way citizens like you and me can help. Just $30 will help sponsor 12 meals; $50 will help feed 20 people. Go here to make a tax-deductible gift directly to Mercy Chefs to help sponsor meals for Nashville victims and volunteers.

And see below for more details.

Steve Elliott, Grassfire

P.S. My family just sponsored 40 meals for Nashville victims and volunteers. Would you consider sponsoring 10 meals, 20 meals, or even matching us by helping provide 40 meals? Every gift will help. Go here and see below:

Forwarded message:

From: Gary LeBlanc 
Subject: Nashville ravaged by tornadoes; 22 fatalities
Date: March 3, 2020 at 4:30:55 PM EST
To: Steve Elliott

Steve,

Nashville and surrounding communities have been ravaged by deadly tornadoes that hit late last night. Initial reports indicate 48 buildings collapsed in Nashville alone, with 22 fatalities reported. A state of emergency has been declared and the situation is still quite dangerous as firefighters report as many as 30 rescue workers have been injured.

This is an unprecedented tornado disaster for the city of Nashville as an EF-3 tornado ripped through the downtown area around midnight and then hit surrounding communities. 

+ + We are deploying to Nashville as I write!

Mercy Chefs teams from Virginia, Texas, and Oklahoma are traveling to Tennessee as I write. Some arrive this evening. I will join the team midday tomorrow. Our mobile kitchen will be on the road by sunset tonight, arriving tomorrow. On the ground, we will be partnering with at least two local churches to establish a base of operations as we serve meals to first responders, victims and volunteers.

I am hoping to be serving our first meals TOMORROW for dinner. This is precisely why Mercy Chefs exists -- and now I need your help.

We will serve THOUSANDS of meals starting tomorrow and through this weekend alone. Will you help? Go here to make your tax-deductible gift and help sponsor 10, 20, 50, or even 100 meals so we can provide hot meals to Nashville first responders and disaster victims and continue other vital efforts:

+ + Storm unexpected; more may come

Despite the fact that forecasters were predicting a very busy start to the tornado season, last night's storm was unexpected. Now, forecasters are calling for the possibility of more storms and more tornadoes over the next few days.

Again, this is a MAJOR TORNADO STRIKE -- perhaps the largest to hit the city of Nashville. We need your help! Go here to help sponsor meals for victims and volunteers in Nashville.

Please PRAY for those directly impacted. Pray for God's comfort to be with those who lost loved ones. Pray for protection of all involved -- especially the first responders. And pray for our Mercy Chefs team as we rush to the area so we can begin serving meals as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance for both your prayers and your financial support!

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs

P.S. We can prepare and deliver a chef-prepared, high-quality, hot meal for about $2.50. Your gift of $50 will help us serve 20 meals; $100 helps provide 40 meals; $1,000 or more goes a long way to helping us provide an entire breakfast or lunch or dinner for first responders and victims. EVERY GIFT WILL HELP US SERVE HOT MEALS right now. Go here: