By: Le’Deana

Gary’s recovery effort is receiving support from Houston rapper and longtime community activist Trae Tha Truth, who is bringing his Relief Gang organization to the city as Mayor Eddie Melton and local leaders continue responding to the damage left by the August 11 storm.

Trae Tha Truth and Relief Gang will bring an 18-wheeler filled with supplies to Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Center on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m. The distribution will include cleaning products, laundry detergent, paper towels, personal care items, N95 masks, sanitary products, shampoo, toilet paper, blankets, diapers, toys and other household necessities. Pastor Eric Boone will host the distribution at 2530 W. 11th Ave. in Gary, with supplies available first come, first served while they last.

The additional support comes during a difficult stretch for Gary residents. The August 11 storm brought winds reaching 99 mph across Northwest Indiana, damaging homes, uprooting trees, knocking down power lines and creating the largest outage event in NIPSCO’s history. As of August 19, more than 20,000 customers in Gary were still without power, according to the Associated Press, with restoration in some parts of the city expected to continue through August 25.

Mayor Melton has kept the city’s focus on recovery, including canceling the Gary Air Show that had been scheduled for August 21 through 23. In announcing the decision, Melton said city resources needed to remain focused on helping residents, restoring neighborhoods and getting Gary back to normal. Across the city, churches, residents, businesses, volunteers and outside supporters have continued organizing food, supplies and assistance as recovery stretches into a second week.

Trae Tha Truth has built a national reputation for showing up in communities during disasters through Relief Gang and his community work. His arrival in Gary adds another resource to a growing network of people responding to the immediate needs of residents while the city works through a historic recovery.

Community Relief & Supply Distribution
Saturday, August 22 | 10 a.m.
Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Center
2530 W. 11th Ave., Gary, IN

All are welcome. Supplies will be distributed first come, first served while supplies last.