Mercy Chefs serve hope, healing in London: More than a meal

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — When disaster strikes, the simple things—a hot meal or a kind word—often mean the most.

In Laurel County, one group is serving up both.

Mercy Chefs, based in Virginia, traveled to London, Kentucky, to help those impacted by deadly tornadoes.

Friday’s lunch menu consisted of beef tacos, rice, tortilla chips, and cantaloupe. But for many in Laurel County, the meal was more than comfort; it showed that someone showed up when it mattered most.

“Any chef on our staff will tell you cooking is wonderful; we love to cook,” said managing chef John Thompson. “But our pay day, I guess you could say, is when we see the smiles and when we see the tears from happiness; that’s what it’s all about.”

Friday’s meal was one of thousands being served by Mercy Chefs, a group that doesn’t just bring food, but delivers hope.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of something so much bigger than you and to be able to help people in their worst of need,” said Lisa Saylor, director of disaster relief and long-term recovery. “I certainly know what it’s like; my hometown was hit with a tornado last year.”

Like Saylor, many volunteers have faced a tragedy of their own. It’s that pain, that lived experience, that fuels their compassion.

“We see disaster over and over again. And one of the beautiful things about these southern communities is that there’s so much neighbor helping neighbor,” added Saylor. “And I know that they’re going to be okay because they’re going to keep helping each other until everyone is back up.”

Saylor said her team is serving between 2,500 and 3,000 meals a day.

“We prepare the food, plate it here, and then they’re running out into all of the communities where the damages happened and where there might be volunteers helping all the distribution centers and even shelters,” Saylor explained.

For both Saylor and Thompson, nothing is more important than serving a hot meal made with love.

“We say that something amazing happens over a shared meal and there’s a moment of normal when you open that box and see this beautiful handcrafted meal,” said Saylor. “It’s a hot meal, and suddenly, for that moment, there’s a hopefulness that it’s all going to be okay, and your immediate needs are met.”

“Our hope is that the community will just continue to love our people. They’ll get outside of church walls, they’ll get outside the walls of the house, and really just going to keep being here; they just continue to lift each other up,” Thompson added.