UPDATES - The Salvation Army Expands Disaster Responses in Indiana Communities
The Salvation Army is responding in communities across northwestern and east central Indiana as record power outages and floods create hazardous conditions for tens of thousands of Hoosiers. Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams have been deployed and are providing food, hydration, shelter, and other emergency assistance to impacted residents.
LAKE COUNTY, IN
The August 11 storms left most Lake County residents without power, including The Salvation Army's three locations in Hammond, East Chicago, and Gary. In spite of these outages, the East Chicago corps has continued to serve the public with meals throughout the week and is working with Strack and Van Til and other community partners to get food distributed from the corps' location at 513 W. Chicago Avenue. The most current distribution information can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/SalvationArmyEastChicago.
Additional food box distributions will be in place by Wednesday at the Gary-Merrillville corps, located at 4800 Harrison Street in Gary. Updates regarding service in the Gary area will be posted on Facebook at facebook.com/TSAGaryMerrillville.
PORTER COUNTY, IN
The Salvation Army of Porter County is serving residents of Porter County and eastern Lake County, providing meals and hydration. On Sunday the EDS team will be at the Portage Strack and Van Til store, located at 6046 Central Avenue, with NIPSCO to distribute food and water. Lunches will also be served Monday-Wednesday of next week at the Porter County corps, located at 799 Capitol Road north of South Haven.
The team in Porter County has been providing food from the centralized feeding site at Portage High School, serving thousands of meals in the first few days of the disaster response. Updates and additional information about distribution sites and needs will continue to be posted on Facebook at facebook.com/SAPorterCounty.
LA PORTE COUNTY, IN
The Salvation Army of La Porte County has been distributing food and hydration to residents without power since the August 11 storms. Distributions from the Michigan City corps, located at 1201 Franklin Street, will continue into next week with additional food distributions taking place over the weekend in Hanna, Unions Mills, Kingsford Heights, La Porte City Hall, and La Porte Civic Auditorium. Food distribution will also continue at the La Porte corps, located at 3240 Monroe Street.
Future distribution locations and times are being posted to the corps' Facebook pages as they are confirmed. Visit facebook.com/samichigancityin and facebook.com/salaporte for the latest information as the response continue to develop.
MADISON COUNTY, IN
The Salvation Army of Anderson has been sheltering displaced residents since August 12 as hundreds were rescued from their homes as a result of record-breaking flooding. The corps is open 24/7 with cots and hot meals for up to 40 individuals. It is also distributing nonperishable food, clothing and boots, and personal care items.
"Thank you to the volunteers who have given more than 1,000 volunteer hours since this disaster response began," said Major Mike Wolfe with The Salvation Army. "We've had great support from the community and food partners like The Big Easy, Toast Diner, Cracker Barrel, KFC, and Fazoli's. This has been a team effort and we will continue to do everything in our power to keep meeting the needs of our community."
Major Wolfe shared that they are running low on certain supplies, including nonperishable food and adult incontinence items. Donations can be dropped off at the Anderson corps, located at 1615 Meridian Street. Anyone in need can reach the corps around the clock by calling 765-644-2538. Updates will continue to be posted to Facebook at facebook.com/SalvationArmyAndersonIndiana.
HENRY COUNTY, IN
The Salvation Army of Henry County, located in New Castle at 2500 Washington Street, has been offering three meals each day to the public and has converted its gymnasium into a distribution center thanks to a generous donation from Walmart. Pallets of water, cleaning supplies, and nonperishable food from Walmart are helping Henry County residents after destructive floods displaced residents across the county.
"My shirt is soaked from the tears I've absorbed this week," said Envoy Beth Stamper with The Salvation Army. "People just want to hold you because they've lost so much and they're so scared. It is beautiful to see the whole community come together, from the emergency coordinator and trustee to the high school football team. It's really nice to see everyone just helping, especially after such devastating loss."
While The Salvation Army building in New Castle can't be used as a shelter because of storm damage to the building, Envoy Stamper has put a plea out to the public for monetary donations. Displaced residents need help paying for motel rooms while flood cleanup continues. Updated needs and community resources will continue to be posted on Facebook at facebook.com/SalvationArmyHenryCounty.
Click HERE to make a donation to the August 2026 Indiana Disaster Response.
The Salvation Army's disaster response will continue to evolve as resources become available and community needs change. Those wishing to support disaster relief efforts are asked to monitor official Salvation Army communications for future needs.