New Orleans group bringing food, music to tornado victims, volunteers in Joplin, Missouri

Published: Monday, June 06, 2011, 10:30 PM Updated: Tuesday, June 07, 2011, 9:45 AM

By Bruce Nolan, The Times-Picayune

Against the backdrop of a national convention on volunteerism, a New Orleans convoy packed with the ingredients for a South Louisiana food and music festival pushed off Monday for shattered Joplin, Mo., where thousands of beleaguered homeowners are awakening to the full import of rebuilding after the worst tornado in modern American history carved a broad scar across the face of their city.

A convoy of local chefs and musicians load up the trucks and busses with seafood, cooking equipment and volunteers to be dispatched to Joplin, Mo., from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Monday, June 6, 2011, to encourage volunteers doing tornado relief there. The event is headed by "The Taste Buds, Three Chefs, One Mission" made up by Chefs Greg Reggio, Hans Limburg and Gary Darling. New Orleans chefs depart for Joplin, Mo. to cook for 1,000 Tornado Victims gallery (3 photos)

“We know what it’s like to be in a situation where you’ve lost everything. And we know the importance of being able to lift spirits,â€