It is during times of calamity when you see the goodness in people.
Recognizing the need to provide food for the body and soul to victims of natural disaster, a faith-based charity group composed of chefs is helping provide quality meals to those affected by the severe flooding in Texas.
The group called Mercy Chefs has committed to providing professionally prepared meals to the flood victims after receiving a call from the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs founder, said his group is ready to assist in feeding the residents displaced by the intense flooding until the water has subsided.
"Mercy Chefs is expecting a long stay. Texas Department of Emergency Management has asked us to stay as long as funding allows through the mass care response phase and the cleanup phase," LeBlanc told CBN News.
He said his group, which is currently stationed at an emergency shelter in Brazoria County, recognised the reality that the disaster that hit Texas is "historic" in the devastation it has brought.
"What we're seeing in Texas right now is historic. In the history, they've never had flooding this bad. The lakes are four to five feet over what they've ever seen. In the last three weeks they've watched 30-32 inches of rain fall, with the rain continuing through the weekend," LeBlanc said.
"This amount of rain on top of the April flooding is disastrous because there is literally no place for the water to go," he added.
True to its commitment to provide high-quality meals to the evacuees, Mercy Chefs has so far fed flood victims with a menu which includes baked chicken with a rice pilaf and mixed vegetables; meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans; roast pork tenderloin with oven roasted red potatoes, corn, and a lima bean succotash.
These meals are all served with fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and baked desserts. Children who were affected by the flood are also served with delicious mac and cheese.
LeBlanc said Mercy Chefs plans to prepare a second kitchen and team to respond to additional flooding in other parts of Iowa.
"After serving over 1 million meals in the last 10 years, we know that something amazing happens over a shared meal. To be able to go and feed people in the name of Jesus, for people who have lost so much due to no fault of their own, is a real honour and privilege," he said.
