MLK Day resources

Take advantage of this day off to train volunteers to serve throughout the year. They will leave prepared to be effective volunteers and help you accomplish your mission.

• Dr. King's life and teachings
• Dr. King’s principles of non-violence

Help people in your community get job ready:

• Resume writing
• Interview skills
• Dressing for success
• Research training programs
• Help individuals complete a job application or application for a training program

• Serve meals at a homeless shelter
• Bring meals to homebound neighbors and consider signing up to be a regular volunteer with local meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels
• Organize a food drive or even start or plan a community garden. When organizing a food drive make sure to check with the food pantry or food bank to see what’s needed and how you can be most helpful.
• Teach healthy eating on a budget

• Help others get vaccinated or find a testing location
  Do you know individuals who have not yet gotten a COVID-19 vaccine? You can serve others by helping them get vaccinated. Find tools to help you have a conversation, and use these resources to find a vaccine location near you or a COVID test.
• Arrange a health fair or dental clinic
• Organize a blood donor drive
• Register bone marrow and organ donors
  • Information about bone marrow donation
  • Information about organ donation
• Organize a drug take back
  • You can find a collection site near you. Click on the collection site locator and input your information.

• Remove graffiti from a building and paint a mural
• Create community green spaces by planting trees, grass, and flowers, especially in locations that may lack adequate green space
• Reclaim a park or abandoned space for community use
• Become a volunteer with a local, state, or national park

• Distribute fire safety information and check for working smoke detectors
• Make and distribute disaster preparedness kits
• Host working sessions to help economically vulnerable citizens
• Share resources or apps that neighbors can use to help each other if disaster strikes
• Be your own first responder
• Check out tools and information about disaster and emergencies planning

• Help low-income families find free tax preparation services and take advantage of the earned income tax credit 
• Shovel elderly neighbors' walkways, clear leaves or help with other yard maintenance
• Participate in or create a neighborhood watch program
• Install smoke detectors or distribute batteries and install new batteries for those who have detectors. (Check with your local Red Cross and/or Fire Department to understand the greatest need.)
• Weatherize homes (Local churches may have a good idea of community members who need assistance.)

Learn how you can help Afghan refugees and take action on MLK Day.

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster serves as a clearing house for anyone who wants to help communities and individuals recover from disasters. Learn about what you can do.