Bears donating $200,000 to communities impacted by severe weather in Northwest Indiana, Chicago suburbs

The Chicago Bears are donating $200,000 to support communities impacted by severe storm damage and flooding across Chicago's south suburbs and Northwest Indiana. 

This aid comes 11 days after powerful storms knocked out power across the region. As of Saturday, more than 32,000 NIPSCO remained without power.  

Some areas in Indiana will be without power until at least Tuesday. 

Bears officials said $100,000 will be provided to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and another $100,000 will go to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary. 

"Both organizations are helping address immediate and ongoing needs in affected communities, including food, clothing, housing assistance and other recovery resources where many families remain without power, displaced from their homes and face a long rebuilding process," Bears officials said in a written release. 

The money will help provide necessities, including "food, clothing, housing assistance and other recovery resources where many families remain without power, displaced from their homes and face a long rebuilding process," the team said.

As many are still without power in Gary, ComEd crews are heading to Northwest Indiana to assist NIPSCO in restoration efforts. 

Residents in Cook and Lake counties in need of resources can call 312-655-7700 or go online to CatholicCharities.net. 

In Northwest Indiana, residents can call 219-886-3549 and select Option 2, email Outreach@catholic-charities.org, or visit Catholic-Charities.org for assistance