COGIC Charities sends $50,000 in storm relief to Indiana

COGIC Charities has sent $50,000 in emergency disaster relief to Indiana jurisdictions after severe August storms damaged communities in Northwest and Central Indiana. The funding will help churches and residents cover urgent needs as recovery continues after days-long power outages and widespread damage.

Why it matters: - The $50,000 gift is meant to help Indiana residents handle urgent needs after storms caused widespread damage, flooding and prolonged outages. - The aid is aimed at people facing the sharpest strain, including seniors, families with young children and residents who depend on electricity for medical equipment or refrigerated medications. - The support comes as communities in Gary and across Northwest and Central Indiana keep dealing with recovery costs and basic daily disruptions.

What happened: - COGIC Charities announced on Aug. 27, 2026, that it had disbursed $50,000 in emergency disaster relief to the Indiana Jurisdictions of the Church Of God In Christ. - The funding is intended to support individuals, families and congregations affected by severe storms that hit Northwest and Central Indiana. - The storm system brought high winds, tornado activity, property damage, flooding and downed trees and power lines. - Many residents of Gary, Indiana, went an estimated 9 to 13 days without electricity.

The details: - The outage period left thousands without reliable access to food storage, clean water, transportation and other essential resources. - COGIC Charities is routing the money through participating local churches. - Distribution will prioritize residents with the greatest financial, medical, housing and transportation hardships. - Eligible support includes food, water, temporary shelter, transportation and essential household supplies. - Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard said the Church of God in Christ has always stood in the gap during crises and that the Indiana congregations have shown extraordinary resilience. - Sheard said the gift reflects COGIC Charities meeting people in need with the love of Christ in action. - COGIC Charities is the benevolent arm of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc.

Between the lines: - The relief effort shows how faith-based networks can move quickly after disasters, especially when local infrastructure is stressed. - The focus on churches as distribution points suggests the denomination is using trusted community channels to reach residents faster. - The length of the Gary outages underscores why storm recovery can become a household emergency well after the weather passes.

What's next: - COGIC Charities said it will continue monitoring recovery efforts in the affected communities. - The organization said it remains committed to supporting the Indiana Jurisdictions as rebuilding continues in the weeks ahead. - More information about COGIC Charities' disaster relief efforts is available here.