On Monday, food influencer and philanthropist Keith Lee collaborated with the Salvation Army and the city of Gary to assist northwest Indiana residents. These residents have faced two weeks without power after severe weather struck the area. The storms on August 11 brought winds reaching 100 mph, uprooting sidewalks and snapping trees, leaving the city in disarray.
Keith Lee, a Detroit native residing in Texas, gained fame for his straightforward food reviews. He announced this partnership in a social media video last Friday. His team had planned a food tour and festival when he discovered the extent of the storms’ impact. This prompted him to shift focus to relief efforts. “Everything changed after I spoke with my wife and sister,” Lee stated while assisting volunteers in distributing kits. “How could we hold a food festival while Gary is without power, and nobody is addressing it?”
Lee’s social media presence, with 17 million followers on TikTok and more on Instagram, was evident as a supporter exclaimed upon seeing him. Often, Lee organizes tours to review local eateries, leading to substantial exposure for these businesses. For instance, in Chicago, his positive reviews of Cleo’s and Tacotlán drastically increased their popularity.
At the event in Gary, residents could either approach a Salvation Army truck on foot or drive up to receive one of 2,000 relief kits. These kits contained cleaning supplies, work gloves, masks, and trash bags. Volunteers also distributed 1,000 sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Lee’s contribution of $15,000, matched by Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, supported the aid efforts and funded food trucks at the event.
The relief event at Roosevelt High School combined essential aid with community celebration. Sylvia Martin of Gary’s planning department highlighted the swift organization of vendors, community groups, and food trucks. “This was a community-driven effort,” Martin commented. “The location was city-managed, but everything else was people-powered.”
Despite gradual power restoration, Gary remains severely affected. Over 7,000 buildings were still powerless as of Monday, according to city officials. Christine Jones pointed out disparities in power restoration times between Gary and nearby areas. She expressed concerns over racial issues impacting infrastructure recovery, noting the predominantly Black population in Gary.
Local power provider NIPSCO announced substantial restoration by Tuesday. They had to repair or rebuild numerous distribution and transmission poles. Residents like Jones faced hardships during this period, with power outages leading to food spoilage and challenging access to essentials. “It was like living in the Stone Age,” Jones remarked while appreciating the relief efforts.
The city has offered a day shelter at YWCA Northwest Indiana, assisting over 400 residents daily with showers, phone charging, and meals. Dora Rogers, who aided in organizing, faced similar challenges as the neighborhood. She praised Keith Lee for raising awareness about Gary, thus spotlighting the city’s strength and unity amid adversity.
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