The Chicago-based organization Black Men United traveled to Gary for an event offering food and supplies to residents on Saturday, some who endured more than two weeks without power following the August 11th storms.
The event was held at the First Baptist Church of Gary.
“Gary is finally getting the attention that Gary should have gotten,” said Pastor Nicole Guns. “I think God is taking a tragic situation and it’s going to turn around for the good of Gary and so this is an example of that.”
People lined up hours before the event started at the church on 21st Avenue.
“We had to come, we had an obligation,” said Terry Young, with Black Men United. “We’re not going to allow another Katrina to happen on our watch.”
He was talking about the 2005 hurricane that devastated New Orleans.
The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer organization that formed following that event to help people was also in Gary providing assistance to residents. The volunteers travelled from Baton Rouge.
Leaders of NAACP chapters were also volunteering, including the President of the Fort Wayne chapter, Steve Lanier.
“I see unity, I see togetherness, I see people helping people,” Lanier said. “A lot of the volunteers are also people who have suffered.”
Kalala Jackson, with Black Men United, said this is what the organization does.
“These people have gone without lights for over two weeks,” she said. “So we’re out here giving everything from diapers to food to supplement their needs right now and let them know that we do love our people.”
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