BURNSVILLE, N.C. (WAVY) — Mercy Chefs is planning to feed around 2,000 people in Burnsville, North Carolina on Thanksgiving.
The Virginia nonprofit has been on the ground in North Carolina helping residents impacted by Hurricane Helene since Oct. 1. They’ve served more than 350,000 meals in the state so far, according to Mercy Chefs.
For Thanksgiving, they’ll be partnering with the Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church to hand out meals at Burnsville Town Center. The church usually serves Thanksgiving meals themselves, but following the devastation of Helene, they didn’t know if they would be able to do that this year.
That was until Mercy Chefs stepped in.
Last month, Mercy Chefs founder Ann LeBlanc spoke to 10 On Your Side about the importance of a hot meal during tough times.
“Made with love that feeds not only their body but their soul. And that is our goal, in every interaction, and bringing just a piece of normalcy, a little encouragement. Some nutrition to sustain them as they work to rebuild,” LeBlanc said.
Various groups from the NASCAR community will also pitch in to help.
Meals will be handed out at the Burnsville Town Center at 6 South Main St. from noon to 2 pm.