PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – A new mission by Portsmouth-based Mercy Chefs is set to be fully operational by early 2027.

Mercy Chefs is taking a place formerly known for feeding souls, and using it as a place to feed mouths.

“We continue to grow hope around the city. Around the seven cities and around the world,” Mercy Chefs founder Gary LeBlanc said during a ceremony Monday.

The facility, located at 519 County Street, will be known as Portsmouth Commons.

“We’re excited to bring some new life back into this space,” Director of Logistics and Facilities Nick Beckman said.

The space, at 519 County Street in Portsmouth, was a Methodist Church built around 1890. It will house Mercy Chef’s new $3.5 million project.

“To expand upon our ability to serve the community with added event space, venue space, places where we can bring the community in,” Beckman said.

It’ll also provide space for another commercial kitchen and room for offices.

“Your investment will bring new jobs, new partnerships, and new energy to the waterfront community. And we could not be more thankful,” Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Stepping up to help with some of the costs are local businesses and organizations, some of whom have volunteered personally with Mercy Chefs.

“The food was so delicious. The lasagna, the salad, the rolls. And to top it off were unbelievably good chocolate chip cookies!” Chairman of Landmark Enterprises, L.L.C Frank Batten, Jr. said.

These donors know they’re helping to build more than just a kitchen. Making quality food–they’re buying into a feeling of love.

“What it communicates to those people who are receiving the food, that they are valued because often they are people who are troubled or not valued in life,” Batten, Jr. added.

LeBlanc says they’ve raised more than $1.8 million so far, and are hopeful they’ll raise the additional $1.7 million soon.

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