LEWISTON — The Lewiston-Auburn CA$H Coalition, a local partnership of elected officials, municipalities, nonprofit and for-profit entities and volunteers, is hosting a free financial informational meeting entitled “Avoiding the Money Trap.”

CA$H — Creating Assets, Savings & Hope — will hold the forum at 6 p.m. Monday in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St.

A gas-card drawing will be held at the close of the event, compliments of Grimmel’s Gas-Up in Lewiston.

“The coalition, as part of its financial literacy outreach, recognizes that despite working hard, many individuals and families struggle to meet day-to-day expenses or to build a cash cushion for emergencies,” according to a news release issued by the city of Lewiston. “As a result, families can become vulnerable to money traps such as payday loans, high-interest loans, refund anticipation loans, and costly check cashing fees.”

The forum will feature Florence Young of Casey Family Services of Portland, who will provide information on practical, safe ways to manage money.