Community and nonprofits collaborate to serve food to those struggling after Helene

NEWBERRY, Fla. (WCJB) - A Virginia-based nonprofit and volunteers are serving hot meals from a church in Newberry to serve victims and first responders of Helene.

As residents recover from Hurricane Helene, a nonprofit based out of Virginia, called Mercy Chefs, is trying to make that process easier by providing hot meals.

"Folks have lost so much during this time so being able to jump in and just provide that moment of peace, that moment of joy over a hot meal is really really really special," said Raymond LeBlanc, the community engagement manager with Mercy Chefs.

Mercy Chefs decided to establish their base of relief operations in Newberry, delivering hot, chef-prepared meals. They started on Friday at the Destiny Community Church, serving lunch every day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They also serve dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every day, except Sunday.

The lines extended all the way out to the main roads as some residents eagerly waited to get one of their first actual meals since the hurricane.

"I was eating beef jerky and crackers the whole time and that can only go so long," said Newberry resident Rebecca Yale. "I don't ever want to see beef jerky again."

Yale says she barely had anything to eat except for her beef jerky and probably won't for another week.

"Right now, I don't have the funds. I'm on disability and I don't have the funds until next week to buy groceries so this is my groceries," said Yale.

She says thanks to Mercy Chefs, she was finally able to have an actual meal.

"I tell you when I ate this afternoon, I smiled for the first time. I was sweating, I didn't have electricity yet but I was so happy to have a meal," said Yale.

In addition to serving in Newberry, officials with Mercy Chefs say they are actively serving in Alachua, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Levy and Suwannee counties. All distribution points are open for victims, volunteers and first responders of Hurricane Helene.

Other distribution points that aren't associated with Mercy Chefs are also available:

Levy County

Yankeetown Water Plant, 171 Elm St.

First Baptist Church, 717 Second St, Cedar Key.

Rosewood Baptist Church, 6331 SW 98th Terrace, Cedar Key.

Robinson Seafood, located in Cedar Key / Rosewood. Free hot meals are from 12-6 p.m. every day while supplies last.

Dixie County

Point of Distribution sites are available today from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to provide essential supplies including MREs, tarps, and water.

Jena Pentecostal Holiness Church, 5335 CR 358, Steinhatchee

Salt Creek Pavilion, 23440 SE 349 Hwy, Suwannee

Horseshoe Beach Fire Station, 83 5th Ave E, Horseshoe Beach

Citrus County

Homosassa Civic Club, 5530 South Mason Creek Rd. October 1, 12:30 p.m- while supplies last.

Columbia County

All open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Winfield Community Center, 1324 NW Winfield St., Lake City, FL.

Deep Creek Community Center, 11934 N. US Highway 441, Lake City, FL 32055.

Fort White Community Center, 17579 SW SR47, Fort White, FL 32038

Mason City Community Center, 11110 S. US Highway 441, Lake City, Fl. 32025

Lulu Community Center, 205 SE Community Dr, Lulu, FL 32061 -

Southside Sports Complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Drive, Lake City