Following severe storms in Northwest Indiana earlier this month, thousands of residents in Gary, Indiana remain without power — 12 days later.
Storm winds reached up to 100 miles per hour, knocking down tree limbs and poles, destroying power infrastructure, and leaving the town in the dark.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has activated the National Guard to assist with restoration efforts, and President Trump has approved an emergency declaration for the state. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can now assist with recovery efforts, but Gary mayor Eddie Melton continues to pressure the Northern Indiana Public Service Company to restore the city’s power.
“We’re at day 12, and 12 days is too long for families to be without power,” Melton said in a video address on Sunday, urging NIPSCO to restore power by the end of the day on Tuesday, August 25.
“Twelve days is too long for parents to worry about their children, and for businesses to lose revenue, and for families to wonder when the relief is finally going to come. Today, I want the people of Gary to know this. I want you to know that I share their frustration.”
In addition to impassioned pleas from local officials and the assistance of aid organizations, two public figures are stepping in to help out: Acclaimed food influencer Keith Lee and Indiana Pacers basketball player Tyrese Haliburton.
The pair have partnered with the Salvation Army, Ace Hardware, and city officials to host a relief drive for locals, distributing food and supplies, and coming together to enjoy a little music.
According to The Guardian, organizers said Lee committed $15,000 in supplies for the event, and Haliburton matched with his own $15,000.
“Gary, Indiana has been without power for the last nine days,” Lee said in a video posted on social media over the weekend. “Nobody was talking about it, and I thought it was crazy so I made a video. And now … people are talking about it.”
This led him to his big announcement.
“My family and Salvation Army will both be bringing trucks full of supplies,” he said. “Tyrese Haliburton found out what we was doing, and he matched our contributions. That is amazing.”
“We’re gonna have supplies, a DJ provided directly by the city of Gary, and I got over a thousand messages from restaurants and food trucks and people who sell food who want to get involved,” Lee continued. “So we’re gonna open it up for everyone who wants to contribute.”
It’s unclear how many people will be served by the event, planned to take place at Roosevelt Park Pavilion, but Lee promised “food and supplies while they last” on his Instagram story Monday morning.
“I know it’s not turning the power on,” Lee said. “But it is a place for community. If you want some supplies or need some supplies, come get some. If you want some food or need some food, come get some. If you want to listen to some music or need that sense of people being around you, come get some.”
Lee has made his fame from uplifting small, independently-owned food vendors and restaurants, especially supporting BIPOC communities. Gary, which is a predominantly Black city, is no exception.
“If there is anything that we can possibly do, I’m gonna do it. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” Lee said in a subsequent video. “If I can do anything to make sure that … everybody knows that we a community and we gonna stand together, I’mma do that.”
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Featured Images: Screenshot via @cityofgary_in/Instagram, @keith_lee125/Instagram
