SOUTH BEND / VALPARAISO, Ind. — Nearly a month after an Aug. 11 derecho tore through Northwest Indiana, 1st Source Bank Foundation on Friday pledged $100,000 to seven local nonprofits aiding LaPorte and Porter county recovery — money that arrives as Valparaiso crews are still clearing debris and state and federal aid windows remain open for households with uninsured losses.
Key facts
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| 1st Source pledge | $100,000 to seven nonprofits |
| Valpo debris (through Aug. 21 a.m.) | ~7,338 cu yd / 1,800+ tons |
| SDRF max | $5,000 per eligible household |
| White Family Foundation | $1.5M earlier via three community foundations |
| Peak statewide outages | 300,000+ |
The South Bend–based foundation said the grants will be split among the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Porter County Community Foundation, The Salvation Army of Porter County, The Salvation Army of LaPorte County, United Way of LaPorte County, United Way of Northwest Indiana, and Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, InkFreeNews reported.
“The devastation caused by these storms has impacted many families and businesses across northwest Indiana,” Andrea Short, vice president of 1st Source Bank Foundation and chief executive officer of 1st Source Bank, said in the release. “By partnering with these trusted, local organizations, we can help ensure critical resources reach those who were affected and assist our communities as they recover and rebuild.”
Short said the dollars flow through those nonprofits for immediate aid and longer rebuild work — not as bank checks to households.
Storm and cleanup
IDHS said the Aug. 11 derecho brought extreme winds, tornadoes, hail, and flooding as it crossed from Illinois into northwest and north-central Indiana. Peak statewide outages topped 300,000, concentrated in Lake and Porter counties. Seven storm-related deaths were reported by late August, including in Lake, LaPorte, and Porter counties. The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation earlier committed $1.5 million through Legacy, Crown Point, and Porter County community foundations ($500,000 each).
An Aug. 21 Valpo newsflash put debris collected at about 7,338 cubic yards — more than 1,800 tons — from Aug. 11 through that morning. Temporary dumpsters at 1855 Joliet Road also took about 15.1 tons of resident storm trash before the transfer station reopened. “The scale of this storm has been enormous but so has the response. We will continue this work until the job is done,” Mayor Jon Costas said.
Residents should pile cut brush at the curb, clear of hydrants and lines, separate from trash. Compost site: 2150 W. Lincolnway, Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Porter County commissioners on Friday advanced FEMA-related debris contracting, including a Del Sol Consulting agreement not to exceed $100,000 and authorization to bid countywide debris collection and monitoring.
How to apply
- SDRF: up to $5,000 for eligible uninsured losses (home repairs, essential furnishings/appliances, debris removal, medical devices, essential transportation) — on.in.gov/August2026Disaster or Indiana 211 (866-211-9966). Window opened Aug. 18; State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) urged residents to apply. Insurance remains primary.
- FEMA IA: DisasterAssistance.gov after the Aug. 25 major disaster declaration. Lake County MRICs: Munster (Sept. 5), Lake Station (Sept. 8–9). Porter One-Stop Shops at Woodland Park in Portage (2100 Willowcreek Road), 9 a.m.–7 p.m. CT Sept. 9–11 and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sept. 12.
- Other deadlines: Disaster Unemployment Assistance due Oct. 27 (DWD); SBA physical-damage loans due Oct. 25; temporary housing via 211.
- Catholic Charities (Gary Diocese): food replacement, deductibles, essential repairs/appliances, storm-related rent or mortgage — Outreach@catholic-charities.org or 219-886-3549, option 2 (Terry Seljan, Sept. 1).
Residents should contact recipient agencies, United Way partners, 211, Catholic Charities, or the state/federal portals — not 1st Source directly. Region N3 will update if Valpo posts newer debris totals or IDHS changes deadlines.