The United Territories of Pacific Islanders’ Alliance Eastern Washington, otherwise known as U.T.O.P.I.A, will host their first social event as a club on Friday.

The club will host a community potluck at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Casa Latina Heritage House, 955 B St.

“We wanted to create a chill way for us to get to know each other,” said Jeremiah Sataraka, Ph.D. candidate in cultural studies and social thought in education.

The goal for the event is to generate more membership for the new club, he said. The group also wants to share the organization’s goals and upcoming events for the school year.

Manufanua Thomas, co-chair and adviser of U.T.O.P.I.A Eastern Washington, said the organization started a month ago and has about 10 members so far.

The purpose of the club is to provide visibility and support for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islanders, Thomas said.

The event is open to members of LGBTQ+ and Pacific Islander communities, as well as allies, he said. However, there are only 25 spots available due to the location of the potluck,

Sataraka said those interested can RSVP on the U.T.O.P.I.A Facebook page. Attendees can bring a dish to the potluck and post on the Facebook page what they plan on bringing but are welcome to attend without bringing a dish.

“One of the great ways to build community is through food,” Thomas said.

U.T.O.P.I.A Eastern Washington is affiliated with U.T.O.P.I.A Seattle, which won an award at the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance this summer, Sataraka said.

“The goal for this coming year is to increase our visibility,” he said.”