Churches, nonprofits, and government agencies across Northwest Indiana are hosting free food distributions throughout March as some families adjust to tighter federal work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. The updated rules apply to able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without dependents and eliminate several long-standing exemptions. To continue receiving benefits, affected recipients must […]
Community
Posted inCommunity, Housing
Brothers’ Keepers Looks to the Future With New $3 Million Facility
Sunlight spilled across the Brothers’ Keeper shelter on Broadway on Monday as community members packed into the building for an announcement that could redefine how the city serves homeless men and veterans. The gathering centered on plans for a new Brothers’ Keeper facility, a project leaders said will expand services and create a more stable […]
Posted inCommunity, Politics & Policy
Free Groceries Still Available as SNAP Rules Change in Gary and Northwest Indiana
February could bring added strain for households across Gary and Northwest Indiana as new federal food assistance rules take effect. Starting Feb. 1, expanded work requirements under federal law now apply to some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, including adults ages 55 to 64 and parents without children younger than 14. The changes also repeal […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Housing
Gary Warming Centers Serve Residents as Bitter Cold and Snow Grip the City
As Northwest Indiana remains locked in a stretch of bitter winter weather, Gary warming centers are continuing to serve residents seeking relief from dangerous cold and snow that are expected to linger through the weekend. The National Weather Service says temperatures in Gary are expected to remain dangerously low through the weekend, with overnight lows […]
Posted inEvents
Where to Celebrate MLK Day 2026 in Gary and Northwest Indiana
Jan. 19 is observed throughout the United States as a holiday honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The holiday was officially established, in part, by a 1983 bill sponsored by Gary native and U.S. Rep. Katie Hall, and was first observed on Jan. 20, 1986. In an effort to bring community […]
Posted inCommunity, Politics & Policy
Gary Demonstrators Condemn ICE Following Fatal Minneapolis Shooting
A group of Gary residents and activists gathered on a cold and wet Saturday morning to voice their discontent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city and across the country. The demonstration took place in the Miller neighborhood near the South Shore Line train station and was one of several held nationwide […]
Posted inCommunity
Where to Find Free Groceries in Gary and Northwest Indiana This January
January brings added financial pressure for households across Gary and Northwest Indiana, as heating costs rise and grocery prices remain elevated. Food insecurity continues to affect a significant share of people in the region. Nearly 1 in 7 residents in the region experience food insecurity, according to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Late last […]
Posted inCommunity
Where to Find Free Food, Holiday Hams in Northwest Indiana This December
In Gary and across Northwest Indiana, cost and access remain two of the biggest obstacles standing between families and a healthy meal. Nearly 1 in 7 residents in the region experience food insecurity, according to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Amid recent federal shutdown-related disruptions to nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance […]
Posted inCommunity
Inside Gary’s New YMCA: Upcoming Features and Programs
The Tolleston neighborhood is one step closer to welcoming its new community hub as construction continues on Gary’s new YMCA campus Gary’s new YMCA is taking shape, with construction moving steadily toward a planned September 2026 opening and several newly confirmed amenities and youth programs now taking form in the Tolleston neighborhood. Construction has reached […]
Posted inCommunity, Events
Gary Thanksgiving Food Drives: Where Families Can Get Meals This Year
Thanksgiving is a time of family, community, and giving thanks. Community members and organizations throughout Gary are hosting food drives and free plate giveaways to ensure residents have access to a meal this holiday season and to alleviate stress on community members experiencing food insecurity. Nearly 38% of Gary residents rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance […]