Northwest Indiana residents still recovering from last week’s storm and widespread power outage can get free food, oxygen refills, cleanup assistance, and other support at locations across the region.

As power restoration and cleanup efforts continue, city officials, churches, nonprofits, and businesses have mobilized to provide essential services. 

Free Hot Meals

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Dean & Barbara White Community Center
The Gary Branch of the NAACP is working with NIPSCO to provide 500 free lunch and dinner meals to residents.
Where: 6600 Broadway, Merrillville
When: Noon to 6 p.m.

Highland Lincoln Center
Several local organizations are working with NIPSCO to provide 500 free lunch and dinner meals to residents.
Where: 2450 Lincoln St., Highland
When: Noon to 6 p.m.

St. John Baptist Church
Operation Gary Rescue is providing hot meals to Gary or Lake County residents.
Where: 2457 Massachusetts St., Gary
When: Noon to 2 p.m.

First Baptist Church of East Chicago
Storm Relief Community Cookout is offering hot dogs and hamburgers to residents.
Where: 4911 McCook Ave, East Chicago
When: 3 to 5 p.m.

Oak Knoll Community Center
Community Meet-Up and Cook-Out is open to Oak Knoll residents. 
Where: 4200 W. 23rd Court, Gary
When: 4 to 6 p.m.

YWCA of Northwest Indiana
Hot meals are available for community members in need.
Where: 150 W 15th Ave., Gary
When: Noon

Munster Lions Club Social Center
The center is offering free food, power, and cooling stations daily.
Where: 8751 Lions Club Drive, Munster
When: Noon to 6 p.m.

Food Distribution 

Wednesday, Aug. 19

The Salvation Army Gary-Merrillville Corps
4800 Harrison St., Gary
Noon

Living Hope Church
9000 W. Taft St., Merrillville
3 p.m.

Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
3 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 20

The Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry
5829 W. 15th Ave., Gary
Noon

Portage High School
6450 U.S. 6, Door G, Portage
4 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 21

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
4 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 24

Iglesia Shalom
4334 Tod Ave., East Chicago
11 a.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

Temple of Deliverance
4929 W. 15th Ave., Gary
10 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 26

Boys & Girls Club
723 Long Run Road, South Haven
10 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 27

St. Teresa of Avila
1604 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Noon

Friday, Aug. 28

Anthem Church
6947 Homan Ave., Hammond
Noon

Saturday, Aug. 29

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.

Medical Oxygen Refill Station

Indiana University Northwest(Lot #9)
The city of Gary has a portable mounted Oxygen Concentrator/Compressor Unit that is being used to fill oxygen cylinders for home-use patients affected by the storm. 
Where: 3301 Broadway, Gary
When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Other Resources

YWCA
The YWCA is offering shelter, warm meals, and charging stations to residents.
Where: 150 W. 15th Ave., Gary
When: Available around the clock

The Monroe Center
The center is offering emergency shelter for residents.
Where: 4101 Washington St., Gary
When: Available around the clock

Family Life Community Center
Contact the center for hot meals or food distribution 
Where: 565 Massachusetts St., Gary

State Disaster Relief Fund
The fund will provide emergency aid grants up to $5,000 for food, clothing, and other basic needs for those displaced from their homes. Residents can call 211 or apply online. 

Catholic Charities
For those displaced by the storm, the organization is offering a Disaster Relief Fund to provide direct assistance to community members as they rebuild. Call (219) 886-3549 ext. 2 or visit catholic-charities.org.

Other disaster relief and power/cooling centers serving Lake County include Hammond Public Library (564 State St., Hammond), Salvation Army of Hammond-Munster Corps (8225 Columbia Ave., Munster), Calumet College of St. Joseph (2400 New York Ave., Whiting), Lincoln Community Center (2450 Lincoln St., Highland), Indiana Welcome Center (7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond), and Heritage Hall (4506 Tod Ave., East Chicago).

Capital B is covering this storm for the people living through it, from the information residents need now to what happens next. Our journalists live in Gary and bring perspectives to this story you won’t find anywhere else.

If you believe this type of coverage matters, please consider becoming a Capital B member with a tax-deductible donation. Your support helps us keep showing up for Black communities when it matters most.