Relief efforts are ramping up across Northwest Indiana and Chicago’s south suburbs as communities work to recover from severe storms and flooding that knocked out power, damaged homes, and left thousands of families facing a long rebuilding process.
Major sports franchises, corporate donors, civic leaders, and high-profile figures are mobilizing funds and direct-aid distributions to assist families on both sides of the state line.
The Chicago Bears announced a $200,000 commitment to storm relief, splitting the funding equally between Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary. The $100,000 designated for Northwest Indiana will support immediate necessities—including food, clothing, and housing assistance—alongside ongoing recovery in heavily impacted cities like Gary and Hammond.
"The devastating impact of the storms across Northwest Indiana has turned lives upside down for thousands of families," said Terry Seljan, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary. "Right now, our focus is on helping our neighbors access the support and resources they need to stabilize so they can begin to recover and move forward."
Further bolstering local recovery in Lake County, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana contributed $100,000 to the Calumet Township Trustee’s Office to assist Gary residents with storm cleanup and emergency essentials.
The push for aid comes amid growing local frustration over the pace of recovery and a perceived lack of broader attention. Prolonged power outages prompted criticism from residents and local leaders, especially after an initial Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) restoration schedule inadvertently omitted Gary before being corrected.
“We are being left behind every time something goes on. Gary is left behind. We are the last ones on the totem pole to get anything done,” resident Bridget Sanders told CBS News.
That disparity caught the attention of popular food critic and social media personality Keith Lee, who coordinated with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton’s office and The Salvation Army to help organize direct relief.
“How are we going to have a food tour in the Midwest and Gary ain’t got no power and ain’t nobody talkin’ about it?” Lee said in a video to his millions of followers. “I think this should be national news. It’s crazy to me that it’s not being talked about... Why not a thinkpiece on the fact that communities that look like myself been without power for eight days?”
Lee emphasized that his involvement is centered on direct action rather than optics, pledging to support local families and spotlight neighborhood businesses.
The sentiment resonates deeply with Gary natives, including former NBA star and Purdue standout Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson, who echoed the call for sustained community solidarity.
"Gary is a resilient city, but our people shouldn't have to carry the burden of recovery alone," Robinson said. "When our neighborhoods are hurting, it takes everyone—from local leaders to outside partners—stepping up to make sure our families get the resources, power, and respect they deserve."
Direct relief is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24, through the "Gary United: The Community Gives Back!" event. Partnering with Lee, NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, The Salvation Army, and Ace Hardware, the city will host an emergency drive from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Roosevelt Pavilion parking lot, located at 2201 Harrison St.
Families can receive food, cleaning supplies, and storm recovery kits on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one kit per household and up to two households per vehicle. The event will also feature community resource tables, local food trucks, and music from DJ KCeaser.
Resources and Assistance:
- Northwest Indiana Residents: Contact Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary at 219-886-3549 (Option 2), email Outreach@catholic-charities.org, or visit catholic-charities.org.
- Calumet Township Residents: Contact the Calumet Township Trustee's Office directly for localized relief and cleanup assistance.
- Cook & Lake County (IL) Residents: Contact Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago at 312-655-7700 or visit catholiccharities.net.
