What if surviving a disaster wasn’t just about the weather—but about your zip code?
In Pierce County, more than 82,000 people live at or below the federal poverty level. They are families working hard yet struggling to afford rent, childcare, food, and necessities. They are seniors living in isolation, wondering if they’ll be able to keep their heat on this winter. They are our neighbors, yet their struggles often remain unseen—until disaster strikes.
We invite you to join us for a free resource fair and moving screening of Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, a documentary that exposes the chilling reality of how poverty determines who lives and who dies in a crisis. Based on Eric Klinenberg’s groundbreaking book Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago, the film reveals how systemic inequities and policy failures—not just natural disasters—create preventable tragedies.
Panel Discussion
Following the screening, we will host a panel discussion to explore how poverty, climate risks, and other systemic challenges impact Pierce County—and what we are doing to address them.
📅 Date: May 9th
📍 Location: Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus
🕕 Time: 10 am – 2 pm