Hoosier Action is hosting a listening event to address the overdose crisis in Jackson County.

Cookout and Conversation: Substance Use, Overdose and Mental Health in our Community is set for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the JCBank Pavilion at Crossroads Community Park, 101 E. Tipton St., Seymour.

How has the overdose and mental health crisis affected you and your loved ones? What do you think needs to change in the community? What do everyday Hoosiers need to thrive after the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Hoosier Action wants to hear from you. Join the organization to share a free meal, share your experiences and thoughts and learn how people can envision and act together for a better future.

If you are a public official or a candidate for public office, contact organizer Laxmi Palde ([email protected]) to see if this listening session is the right event for you.

Register for the event online at hoosieraction.org/events. Organizers are working on arranging onsite child care but need to know how many children to expect and ages beforehand. Anyone interested in bringing their kids or needing transportation to the event should register in advance by calling Palde at 317-985-8448.

Attendees may bring lawn chairs.