Claremore Woman Helps Serve Meals To First Responders At Florida Condo Collapse

First responders and volunteers from across the country are in Surfside, Florida, this week to help in the recovery efforts after a 12-story condo collapsed. One volunteer is from Claremore and serves a unique role.

As images came in from a 12-story condo collapse in Surfside, Florida, Lisa Saylor felt a call to be there.

"My heart is just what can I do to help,” said Saylor.

Saylor, who lives in Claremore, is the director of disaster relief for Mercy Chefs, an international nonprofit that serves meals to first responders and volunteers cleaning up after a disaster.

"There's something hopeful in a plate of food,” said Saylor. “You're just like okay, I don't have to worry about that right now. That need is taken care of."

Saylor first started volunteering with the nonprofit after the Moore tornado in 2013 and was surprised to see a group serving not pizza or hot dogs, but rather homemade, restaurant style meals.

Since Moore, Saylor has responded around the world helping after earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes. Tuesday, she flew to Florida, when the full magnitude of the building collapse became apparent.

"The need was bigger than what we could provide without a kitchen, so we rolled our kitchen in from Birmingham," said Saylor.

Saylor said they're serving 1,100 meals per day to crews working 12-hour shifts.

So far, more than a dozen bodies have been recovered and more than 140 people are still missing.

"You see it on their faces,” said Saylor. “When they come to breakfast this morning, you could see the weariness and the overwhelming feeling of grief that they're all battling."

Saylor said that's why, even for a moment, a hot meal can help.

"There's something tangible about opening up a container and seeing a meal made with love that changes the idea that you're in this alone," said Saylor.

Saylor plans on being there for a couple of weeks or however long she is needed.

If you'd like to help the organization, click here.