CANTON -- The Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) of the North Country is inviting all area residents to a free family picnic on Sunday, June 9 from 2-5 p.m. at Bend in the River Park, 90 River St., at the end of Lincoln Street.

The event will include free hot dogs and salads, games for kids, and a short program with area residents impacted by issues of hunger, housing, and healthcare sharing their experiences and discussing solutions, said a press release from PPC.

The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is a rebirth of the movement begun in 1967 by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. just before his assassination. 

In St. Lawrence County alone, almost 20% of the residents are in poverty, while nearly 30% of children in the county, over 6,000 kids, live in poverty, the press release said.

This event is one of a series of Poor People’s Hearings across the nation. 

Sponsoring organizations include NYS Poor People’s Campaign, Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS, NYS United Teachers, 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades and Labor Council AFL-CIO, and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton. 

People needing transportation to the picnic, having accessibility needs, or wanting more information can contact the organizers via email at newyork@poorpeoplescampaign.org.