AIDBIPOC Community Response
🌋 NWI Strong
Community Relief Hub
Northwest Indiana Tornado Recovery · June 11, 2026
Last updated: June 12, 2026 · Submit a resource
I am right across the border in Illinois — supporting family, friends, and neighbors on our sister side of the state line. This tornado came far too close to home. This page exists because our community deserves one clear, updated place to find help and give help. We are one community when it matters most. ❤️
— Theresa Norwood, Founder · AIDBIPOC
📅 This Weekend — Events & Distribution
Confirmed active events for Saturday June 13 and the coming days. Attend, share, and bring a neighbor.
Sat June 13
Faith Temple of Christ
Emergency Food Distribution
Food, resources, hope & support. Mini charging stations. All welcome. No registration required.
Members encouraged to bring hygiene products to donate.
7601 Whitcomb St, Merrillville IN 46410
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Hosted by Ross Township Board Member Curtis Pearson
✅ Active
Sat June 13
Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine
Volunteer Cleanup
Volunteers needed at 9:00 AM. Bring rakes, chainsaws, saws, and tools. Near 61st Ave & Broadway — one of the hardest hit areas.
Near Andrean High School, Merrillville
9:00 AM
Contact via Facebook Messenger (no electricity on grounds)
✅ Active
Strack & Van Til
Free Hot Meals
For storm affected residents. Valid Merrillville ID required.
6001 Broadway Ave, Merrillville IN
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Confirmed by Town of Merrillville
✅ Active
📞 Emergency & Immediate Help
American Red Cross
Shelter (700-bed), food, clothing, financial assistance, mental health support
Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St, Highland IN
redcross.org · 1-800-733-2767
✅ Active
Town of Merrillville
Command center, free meals, damage assessment, street clearing
61st Ave & Cleveland St
FB: Town of Merrillville
merrillville.in.gov/service
✅ Active
Ross Township Trustee
Donation drop-off: clothing, toiletries, food. Displaced family shelter referrals.
26 W. 73rd Ave, Merrillville
219-769-2111
✅ Active
Gary Regional Food Collective
Food, essential items, resources & support. Seeking community offset pantry volunteers across Lake County.
Serving all Lake County
219-240-6557
FB: Family Life Community Center Inc
✅ Active
211 Indiana Helpline
Financial assistance referrals, local resources, damage reporting
Dial 2-1-1 or text zip to 898-211
866-211-9966 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm)
in211.org → DAMAGE REPORTING
✅ Active
Lake County Homeland Security
Damage assessment coordination, disaster relief activation, 211 network reporting
Submit:
in211.org → Damage Reporting
Or call 2-1-1
✅ Active
Salvation Army NW Indiana
Food, clothing, hygiene supplies, financial assistance
🔄 Updating
FEMA / Emergency Shelters
Federal aid once disaster declaration confirmed. Emergency shelter line active now.
❓ Pending
NIPSCO Power Restoration
~75,000 without power. Restoration ongoing — may extend into next week.
🔄 Active
🔨 What Families Need Right Now
🔴 HIGH PRIORITY
- Toiletries & hygiene supplies
- Diapers (all sizes)
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- Baby formula
- Clothing (all sizes)
🟡 ALSO NEEDED
- Cleaning supplies
- Trash bags & gloves
- Pet food & supplies
- Bedding & blankets
- Tools & tarps
- Gift cards (gas/grocery)
💙 SUPPORT SERVICES
- Mental health counseling
- Crisis: Dial 2-1-1
- Power: NIPSCO
- Damage surveys: NWS
- Insurance claims help
- Safe & Well: Red Cross
🏫 Andrean High School — Storm Damage
Andrean sustained significant damage. Campus remains closed. Official donations only — be cautious of other links.
Donate to Andrean
Official online donations only. Volunteer opportunities to be announced.
✅ Active
🎥 On the Ground — Community Reports
👑 Kevin Collinz — Community Volunteer
Kevin went out to Merrillville on June 12 to assist families impacted by the storm. He is going out daily, family by family — helping them pack what they have left, documenting their stories, and making individual videos for each family to help connect them with support. He is not charging anything and not asking for funds for himself — only asking that we help spread the word so more families can be reached.
If your family was affected or you know a family that needs help, reach out to Kevin directly.
📞 Call or text: 773-983-2808 · Facebook DM: Kevin Collinz
▶ Watch Kevin's Report on Facebook
📤 Submit a Resource
Know of a drop-off location, organization, or resource not listed here? We update this page within 24 hours.
✉ Email admin@aidbipoc.org
