08/20/2026
🚨 GARY, INDIANA NEEDS MORE THAN AWARENESS — IT NEEDS COMMUNITY ACTION.
Thousands of people in Gary and across Northwest Indiana have been without electricity for more than a week after devastating storms damaged the power grid.
Think about what a week without electricity actually means.
Food in refrigerators and freezers is gone.
No air conditioning.
Limited ability to charge phones.
Families trying to find meals.
Children have had school disrupted.
People who rely on refrigerated medications or electrically powered medical equipment have additional concerns.
And once the sun goes down, entire neighborhoods can be sitting in darkness.
So my question is:
What can the surrounding communities do to HELP?
If you live near Gary and have resources, this is the time to organize.
🔦 Donate solar-powered or rechargeable lights and lanterns. They can charge during daylight and give families light inside their homes at night.
🔋 Donate power banks, batteries, flashlights and charging equipment.
🧊 Bring coolers, ice and nonperishable food.
💧 Donate cases of water.
🍽️ Restaurants, churches, food trucks and community organizations with power: consider sponsoring or distributing hot meals.
👵🏾 Check on elderly and disabled neighbors and anyone living alone.
💊 Help people who need safe refrigeration for medication connect with appropriate emergency resources.
📱 Create neighborhood communication networks so people know where food, charging stations, cooling locations and supplies are available.
🏠 And please think about SECURITY.
When neighborhoods remain dark night after night, residents should be looking out for one another. Use solar motion lights where possible. Keep doors and windows secured. Know your neighbors. Check on vacant homes. Report suspicious activity rather than confronting someone yourself.
And if you're outside Gary but within driving distance, don't assume somebody else is coming.
A church can adopt a block.
A business can donate 50 solar lanterns.
A restaurant can feed 100 families.
A neighborhood association can organize a supply drive.
A group of friends can load up a truck with water, batteries, lights, hygiene products and shelf-stable food.
This is what COMMUNITY looks like.
Instead of simply asking, “Why isn't anybody talking about Gary?”
Let's also ask:
“What do they need, and what can I do?”
If you know of a VERIFIED Gary-area distribution center, cooling location, charging station, food giveaway, shelter or organization accepting donations, DROP IT IN THE COMMENTS.
Let's turn the comment section into a RESOURCE CENTER for people who need it and people who want to help.
Please share this. Information and resources need to reach the people who need them.
