GARY, Ind. — Residents of Gary, Indiana, are beginning to recover after nearly two weeks without power following severe storms and a tornado that struck the region on August 11. The storm caused widespread damage, including uprooted sidewalks, downed streetlights, fallen trees, and scattered debris throughout the city.

On August 24, food influencer and philanthropist Keith Lee teamed up with the Salvation Army and city officials to provide relief efforts at Roosevelt City Pavilion. Lee, a Detroit native now based in Texas, initially planned a food tour and festival in the Midwest before learning about the impact of the storms in Gary. He quickly altered those plans to focus on supporting local families who had experienced extended power outages.

Lee announced the partnership in a social media video the previous Friday, citing the urgency of the situation. “The second this happened, everything changed,” Lee said during Monday’s event, while assisting volunteers with distributing relief kits. “How were we going to do a food festival in the Midwest while Gary has no power and nobody was talking about it?”

The event attracted hundreds of residents, who either waited in a drive-up line or approached a Salvation Army truck to receive disaster relief kits. These kits included essential cleaning supplies such as mops, brooms, disinfectants, work gloves, N95 masks, and heavy-duty trash bags. Additionally, volunteers handed out sandwiches, chips, and beverages.

Lee contributed approximately $15,000 toward the relief supplies, with Indianapolis Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton matching that amount, bringing the total donation to $30,000. Funds were also allocated to support several food trucks stationed at Roosevelt Pavilion, turning the distribution site into a free community festival complete with a live DJ and a variety of meal options, including tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken wings.

Lee remarked on the resilience of Midwestern communities, noting the positive spirit despite the hardships. “If you came here and you had no idea what was going on, you would just think that we are having a backyard boogie,” he said.

Local resident Dora Rogers, who has lived in Gary for five decades and has been without power for about 14 days, helped guide attendees at the event. She praised the community’s strength in the face of adversity. “This city has a hell of a backbone,” Rogers said. “The magnitude of this storm and this destruction was unprecedented … but we came together and if this is what it took to bring us here, I’ll take it.”

NIPSCO, the local power supplier, announced that substantial power restoration in Gary is expected by Tuesday. The utility reported that about 300 distribution poles and 44 transmission poles required complete repair or replacement due to the storm’s impact.