This year, Monday, January 16 is the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service – 29 years since Congress designated MLK Day as a day for Americans to step forward to volunteer for improvement in their communities.
AmeriCorps – the federal service and volunteer agency – encourages participation by finding a local volunteer opportunity.
WorkingNation shares some ways around the country to offer a helping hand. Take a look.
Arkansas: Help with efforts to pick up roadway litter at Interstate Park in Little Rock, as well as cleanup of Fourche Creek Wetlands.
California: Volunteers will gather at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to create urban greening kits for school programs and youth centers in South L.A. and assemble disaster bag starter kits to distribute into underserved communities.
Florida: Organizations in Palm Beach County are coordinating numerous volunteer opportunities including beach cleanups, community revitalization projects, and animal care.
Iowa: The Hope+Elim Church in Des Moines is featuring speakers and a non-perishable food drive for local food pantries.
Massachusetts: Volunteers are asked to register to help with hands-on projects at several Central Square locations.
Michigan: The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing is asking for help with the interior painting of its facilities.
North Carolina: Sardis Presbyterian Church in Charlotte is inviting elementary-aged children to volunteer making beds in the church’s shelter facility and preparing lunches.
Oregon: A Portland nonprofit is providing supplies and instructions to clean up Irving Park.
Pennsylvania: The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia has programming planned as well as a school supplies drive.
Texas: The Crowley House of Hope in Crowley is asking for volunteers to assist with its food pantry operations and organize thrift store donations.
Washington, D.C.: Volunteers will gather at Dunbar High School to assemble care packages and deliver to people in need.
For opportunities in your area, check out the AmeriCorps volunteer search portal.