Volunteering on MLK Day and Beyond

Meaningful Opportunities Helping Neighbors in Need

January 16, 2025

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” That famous quote is repeated and practiced on the third Monday of January every year on Martin Luther King Jr day, a time to celebrate and remember an inspirational leader who believed in serving others to better our communities.

A national holiday, many parents use this day to teach their children about civic responsibility and volunteering by participating in activities like packing food, distributing clothes, and planting trees. So many like to give back on this holiday, in fact, that nonprofits have devised virtual activities in which you can provide support, or stretched the day of service to a week (or longer) to engage new supporters and help more folks in need.

This year, Philadelphia’s Martin Luther King Day of Service theme is “The Beloved Community,” King’s vision of a world where all people work for justice and peace, without poverty, hunger or hate. Below are some opportunities to undertake on and around the 20th, so you can help bring King’s vision to reality. Please take note: though the holiday season and MLK Day heighten the awareness of volunteer needs, most nonprofits need help 365 days a year, so please consider serving with your local nonprofits throughout the year.

Broad Street Love

Broad Street Love practices radical hospitality by serving nutritious and professionally-prepared meals, as well as by providing people facing hardship and homelessness access to a variety of life-stabilizing services. Some of the activities listed on the website for MLK Day (and the rest of the week … and thereafter) include administrative support with guest mail and phone calls, sorting and stocking the inventory in their clothing boutique and community hygiene program, as well as assistance with meal service. Sign up now.

Caring For Friends Food Bank

One of the largest food banks in the Philadelphia area, as well as the most comprehensive free senior meals delivery program, Caring for Friends Food Bank has opportunities for volunteers of all ages and abilities, both in person and from the comfort of your home. Become a visitor or driver, cook in their community kitchen, assemble snack bags for homebound seniors, or assist in the office with data entry and phone outreach. At home opportunities include cooking meals or putting your arts-and-crafts skills to use and making ‘caring cards’ that accompany snack bags for people facing hunger. To make meals, visit the Caring for Friends warehouse at 12271 Townsend Road in the NorthEast to pick up trays to fill (think old-school TV dinners), or pick them up locally, and return them, filled, to the site where you picked them up. Find a spot near you on this handy dandy locator.

MANNA

MANNA provides critical nutrition to thousands of our neighbors who need it most. Each year, more than 9,400 volunteers donate over 56,000 hours of the time to help the nonprofit deliver medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to people battling serious diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. This MLK Day is a great time to commit to service by completing an application, scheduling a new volunteer orientation, and then, once approved, choosing the type and number of shifts that work for you. Note that there is no minimum commitment required but all commitments are greatly appreciated.

Project HOME

Project HOME has outdoor, remote and virtual volunteer opportunities, so you and your family can help people experiencing homelessness, such as street clean ups, driving to pick-up and drop-off needed items, and writing notes of hope to clients.

Unitarian Society of Germantown

Holding in-person and virtual MLK day of service options, the Unitarian Society, whose mission is building beloved community with compassion, service and empowerment, is hosting a range of indoor, outdoor, and virtual opportunities. You can donate items to its food pantry, deliver food, collect items for their book and sock drives, or join in an outdoor clean up in historic Rittenhouse Town. Space is limited so book your spot now.

The Wardrobe

This nonprofit provides a stable source of well-maintained and displayed clothing that is suitable for any need, from casual to workwear – and offers it for free to anyone who needs it to eliminate clothing insecurity. Those who want to help can visit their volunteer page to sign up for a volunteer training to work with clients, helping them to find the clothing that best fits their needs. You could also check out their website to see what they need, go through your closet to find some items to donate, and drop them off at their Philly or Upper Darby location.

Looking for more?

Because MLK Day is a popular time to volunteer, if these opportunities are booked, or you’re looking for another cause or organization to support, more options around town can be found at: Global Citizen, Volunteer Match, and Points of Light.

Perhaps a year- round philanthropy endeavor is more on your mind? Consider joining the ranks of the Junior League of Philadelphia, The Saturday Club, one of the Southeast PA chapters of the 100 Who Care Alliance (Chester County, Downingtown, Montgomery County, Phoenixville, Philadelphia, and The Women’s Auxiliary to Chester County Hospital.