EAST CHICAGO -- When Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary’s Hunger Relief Center in East Chicago lost power following Tuesday’s devastating storms, staff faced another heartbreaking possibility: losing the fresh and frozen food stored in 20 full-size refrigerators and commercial freezers.
Rather than allow that food to go to waste, Hunger Relief Program Manager Tina Gunnum went to work finding a way to get it into the hands of people who needed it.
“It was important that we found an organization with a commercial kitchen that could take and cook the food,” Gunnum said. “We wanted the food to be used for the community and not go to waste. Fortunately, Andrew connected us with the Portage American Legion Post 260.”
Gunnum reached out to local attorney Andrew Bennett, who helped connect Catholic Charities with American Legion Post 260 in Portage. The Post has been grilling and serving daily lunches to anyone in the community who stops by, following the destructive storms.
On Thursday, Aug. 13, Catholic Charities staff loaded its box truck and delivery van with frozen whole chickens, hot dogs, frozen strawberries, fresh apples and other fresh and frozen foods. Bennett also filled his truck, and together they transported the food from East Chicago to Portage.
Around 12 volunteers, including American Legion members, Andrew Bennett’s staff and Catholic Charities staff, were waiting to unload when the trucks arrived. There was so much food that the American Legion quickly ran out of storage space.
The Portage Fire Department stepped in to accept some of the remaining food, and the rest was delivered to the Bonner Center, which is serving as a 24-hour emergency shelter for residents affected by the storms.
“Disaster relief is near and dear to our heart,” Bennett said. “My wife and I have gone on several mission trips with Catholic Charities and Catholic HEART Workcamp, all in disaster relief or impoverished areas. With what’s going on in Portage currently, seeing all the devastation, we’re here to help those less fortunate and make this a better place for everyone.”
While the quick response prevented much of the food from going to waste, Catholic Charities’ Hunger Relief Center remains without power. Once electricity is restored and operations resume, the organization will face the significant expense of restocking its refrigerators and freezers so it can continue serving families experiencing food insecurity across Northwest Indiana.
For Catholic Charities, Thursday’s effort was an example of what disaster response looks like at the community level: neighbors, nonprofits, first responders and volunteers working together to make sure resources reach the people who need them most.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary continues to provide financial disaster assistance to individuals and families impacted by this week’s severe weather across Northwest Indiana through their Disaster Relief Fund. For more information, please contact Cathie Dull at cdull@catholic-charities.org or (219) 886-3549 x 102.
About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary provides help, creates hope, and serves all throughout Lake, Porter, La Porte, and Starke Counties. Through programs addressing hunger, housing stability, pregnancy and parenting support, and emergency financial assistance, Catholic Charities serves more than 41,000 individuals annually across Northwest Indiana.
Caption: Local Attorney Andrew Bennett and his staff were among the volunteers assisting with the food delivery at the Portage American Legion Post 260. (Photo provided)
