On January 19, volunteers across the nation, including here in Greater Atlanta, will spend the day giving back to their local community through service projects. After MLK Day was first recognized in 1986, Congressman John Lewis advocated to make the holiday a “day on, not a day off,” inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life of service. Eight years later, the King Holiday and Service Act was signed into law, making MLK Day the only federal holiday recognized as a national day of service.
Here at United Way of Greater Atlanta, our work spans the 13-county region around Greater Atlanta, but our office sits at the heart of Atlanta, just a few blocks away from the King Center. The very streets we walk today were once the stage for a movement that proved the power of collective action. Like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are dedicated to ensuring everyone, no matter their race, background, or zip code, has the resources they need to unlock their fullest potential—together.
“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service,” said Dr. King in a sermon down the street at Ebenezer Baptist Church, shortly before his passing.
This MLK Day, on this national day of service, we invite you to learn, reflect, and make a difference in Greater Atlanta alongside your neighbors. What better way to honor Dr. King’s call to service than by turning inspiration into action, here where his vision first found its voice?
From food security to neighborhood cleanups, here are five ways you can give back locally through our partner organizations on MLK Day weekend:
- Volunteer to help low-income neighbors file their taxes for free with our VITA program. No accounting experience is needed for some roles—and this year, one of our filing sites is historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
- Get your hands dirty and promote food security at Doghead Farm with Concrete Jungle, one of our Hunger Crisis Fund partners. Volunteers will learn about urban gardening, do some planting, and harvest produce to donate to organizations that fight hunger around our region.
>>READ MORE: Mini Farmers Markets help close the hunger gap
- Help neighbors in need at Must Ministries’ mobile food pantries and resource centers. Volunteer shifts are available in food distribution, driving to help collect donations, homeless outreach to unhoused neighbors, and helping clients with job searches in the workforce development computer lab.
- Participate in a park or neighborhood cleanup on your side of town through Hands On Atlanta’s MLK Day of Service. Thousands of Atlantans participate in these service projects every year, and with project locations throughout the city, it’s a great way to show your neighborhood some love and help preserve nature.
- United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Young Professional Leaders (YPL) will spend the day delivering snack packs and hygiene kits to our nonprofit partners across our region. YPL is open to community-minded young professionals under 40. Join today to volunteer with YPL on MLK Day or at future opportunities!
- Can’t make it to an in-person day of service event? Our partner Community Assistance Center has opportunities to help families facing homelessness from your home or office. Collect needed toiletries, clothing, diapers, and food items at home or in your office and schedule a time to drop them off at your convenience.
Whether you spend your day of service volunteering, reflecting, or giving towards our work to carry out a vision for a more equitable Greater Atlanta, thank you for helping this Atlanta-born hero’s legacy live on.