Grassroots Community Cookout and Justice Fair, Oct. 12, gathers local human service, advocacy, and community organizing groups

Malden-area community organizations are gathering for a Grassroots Community Cookout and Justice Fair on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 2 - 6 p.m. at the First Parish in Malden, Universalist. Children and families are welcome, and the free event will take place rain or shine.

Participants include local human service, advocacy, and direct-action community organizing groups. The cookout and fair will enable local individuals and organizations working on such issues as affordable housing, community inclusiveness, poverty, hunger, war, immigrant rights, workers? rights, healthcare, and more to meet and talk about these pressing social and economic issues and actions that can be taken. Representatives of each group will be available to provide information on their programs and services. Musical entertainment and speakers will be part of the program as well.

Members of the organizing committee are Malika Erroboa and McKay Russo, Bread of Life; Renee Cammarata, Cambridge Health Alliance; Richard Cheng, Great Wall Center; Eric Adelman, Temple Tifereth Israel; Marie Coulanges, Philadelphie French Seventh Day Adventist Church; Kevin Duffy, Healthy Malden; Mohamed Brahimi, Muslim American Civic and Cultural Association; Meg English, Everett Literacy Program; Nekita Lamour and David Horst, First Parish in Malden. Other participating groups include Tri-City Community Action Program and the Everett Multicultural Affairs Commission; more groups are expected to sign up and be on hand as well.

First Parish is located at the intersection of Elm and Pleasant Streets (Route 60), three blocks west of the Malden Center T station. Free parking is available in the lot between the church and the Beebe Elementary .

For more information or to be a participating organization, call the First Parish at 781-322-0474 or e-mail cookout@impresta.net.