Laundry owner offers free wash‑and‑fold service to Gary storm victims

GARY, Ind. — A Chicago laundry business owner is offering free wash‑and‑fold services to families in Gary as thousands still remain without electricity nearly two weeks after severe storms tore through northwest Indiana. The outages have prompted Indiana Gov. Mike Braun to call for an investigation into the local utility’s storm response, saying residents deserve accountability.

Power outages in Gary, Indiana Stretch Into a Second Week

Gary and nearby communities have endured prolonged outages since the Aug. 11 storms damaged transmission and distribution systems across Lake County. The storms left more than 374,000 customers without power, reports ABC 7 Chicago. As a result, thousands remained in the dark as restoration efforts continued.

Residents described the conditions as “survival mode,” with families throwing out spoiled food, searching for places to charge phones, and waiting in long lines for meals and supplies. Schools in Gary stayed closed, and many households struggled to maintain basic routines without electricity, the Associated Press reported.

Free laundry service for Gary storm victims

As the outages dragged on, DeAndra, owner of Rinse Cycle Valet on Chicago’s South Side, launched a free laundry relief effort for Gary families. Her team is providing pickup, washing, drying, and delivery at no cost, aiming to help children return to school and parents get back to work with clean clothes.

The service focuses on households hit hardest by the outages, especially those with limited transportation or medical needs. Community donations will cover detergent, transportation, and operational costs. Organizers say the support will also help fund a permanent laundry relief center designed for future emergencies.

Gary power outage investigation

Local officials say the extended outage has created health and safety risks. Residents reliant on medical devices face charging challenges, and spoiled food poses contamination concerns.

Gov. Braun directed regulators to investigate whether the utility met its obligations to prepare for severe weather and restore service quickly. He said Hoosiers “deserve accountability” after days of uncertainty and hardship.

What the relief effort provides

• Free pickup and delivery for families without transportation
• Full wash‑and‑fold service to support school and work routines
• Community‑funded supplies to sustain operations
• Plans for a permanent relief center to serve future storm victims

GoFundMe

DeAndra has created a GoFundMe to sustain the laundry program and build long‑term support. She said every donation covers the direct cost of serving one more family — not overhead or profit.