Volunteers in Northwest Indiana impacted by power outages
A bit of relief for their shared struggle in Northwest Indiana in the form of a food giveaway.
Many of those working to put food on the tables of their neighbors are without power themselves.
Residents lined up for the giveaway on Monday as some remain without power for nearly two weeks.
NIPSCO, in an update Monday afternoon, said that more than 9,000 remain without power.
Residents and grocery stores are struggling to refill their shelves. People at the giveaway said they ran through all the food at home, and even as stores reopen, perishable goods like meat and dairy are in short supply.
"Where is the food at? That's the biggest thing because a lot of people are still without power to this day and we need food," Merrillville resident Nila Johnson said.
She joined the line at Highland Middle School as staff and volunteers from the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana lined up donated kits, with nonperishable and ready-to-eat options inside.
Mary Grelak lives in Highland.
"I'm close and I pick up for other people in my neighborhood who can't get out. I have to pick up a lot for seniors," she said.
The damage is so widespread that even the people handing out the food were impacted by the same ongoing crisis.
Emily Eisha got power back on Friday, but says everyone there is going through the same things.
"It's nice for people to share stories and hear that they are not alone and we are all in the same boat and we are just trying to help everyone get through it in the best way that we can together," she said.
Others like volunteer coordinator Twyla Burks are still without power.
"My son drove to Wisconsin to get me a generator to at least save my stuff in the refrigerator and everything," she said.
Packing boxes at the food bank, Burks says she stores neighbors' insulin in her refrigerator and never thought about staying home, but instead helping those in need.
"I'm like, hey, where am I needed? Let me do something that keeps me from thinking about myself," she said.
It's the same thing she hears from volunteers reporting during their own blackouts, making sure nobody faces an empty refrigerator alone.
"Anything. Anything will help," Johnson said.
The food bank will host more storm-related pop-up food giveaways this week.
Times and locations of food giveaways
Monday, August 24
Highland Middle School
2941 41st St. in Highland
1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church
8601 Harrison Ave. in Munster
4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26
Cedar Creek Township
151 N. Fremont in Lowell
1 p.m.
Thursday, August 27
Methodist Hospital - Northlake Campus
600 Richard Gordon Hatcher Boulevard in Gary
10 a.m.
Friday, August 28
Shelby Park Community Center
1000 W. 223rd in Shelby
10 a.m.
