PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Mercy Chefs has deployed to the Texas Hill Country region to assist in relief efforts following dangerous flash flooding triggered by heavy rainfall in the area.
WATCH: Helicopter rescues kids from Texas floodwaters
This includes delivering aid in the form of chef-prepared hot meals to the areas of Kerr County and communities west of San Antonio.
Mercy Chefs founder and CEO Gary LeBlanc said the organization was able to provide a swift response. “We’ve been serving in Texas for over a year now, and because we’re already here, we were able to begin serving meals immediately.”
Photos of the destruction were provided to 10 On Your Side by the Mercy Chefs crew on scene:
Courtesy: Mercy Chefs
Courtesy: Mercy Chefs
Courtesy: Mercy Chefs
Courtesy: Mercy Chefs
In July of 2025, the Texas Hill Country region was slammed by heavy rainfall that led to catastrophic flash flooding from the Gudalupe River. More than 100 people died, including 27 young girls from a summer camp in Kerr County. Mercy Chefs explains they were “uniquely positioned to respond quickly,” this time around because they have maintained a presence in the area since the July 2025 deadly floods.
According to Mercy Chefs, they began distributing meals as early as July 15. to first responders and out-of-state task forces who have been conducting water rescues around the clock.
“Two of our own team members woke up to floodwater in their homes this morning in Kerr County, yet they’re still helping us care for their neighbors,” stated LeBlanc. “That’s the heart of Mercy Chefs. We know Texans are resilient, and we’re here to feed body and soul as long as we’re needed.”
Mercy Chefs has also partnered with the Beacon of Hope community kitchen in Kerrville, with a mobile kitchen ready to move and serve as needed in the area.
Currently, the organization says they have teams deployed in Texas, Colorado, and Venezuela to serve the communities hit the hardest by flooding, wildfires, and earthquakes.
“Mercy Chefs is a 501c3 founded in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The organization exists to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters and national emergencies, and partners with existing ministries with food service in underserved communities across the country and around the globe. Since its founding, Mercy Chefs has served more than 38 million meals. In 2025, Good Morning America held a live broadcast from Mercy Chefs’ headquarters as part of its “50 States in 50 Weeks” coverage. Mercy Chefs has also been featured in news outlets such as CNN, Fox News, NBC News, PBS and Southern Living.”
For more information, and to make a donation, visit MercyChefs.com.
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