KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The third Monday in January is a federal holiday dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a Day of Service, when many people are off work.
This year, some in the Kansas City metro decided to get out into the community and put their service to action at Harvesters Community Food Network.
"I just felt like it's a great way to honor Dr. King and to just move in purpose," Labrea Stevenson said.
"It's really important we do this and we're out here and that we celebrate and acknowledge MLK Day in some way," Paige Jones said.
Others said they welcomed the opportunity to do something to serve the community.
"We have the day off and we knew that we needed to do something rather than sitting around working on a puzzle," Julie Noelle said.
"This was one of the opportunities to give back to the community," Martin Boyda said.
These volunteers' voices were united in serving their community, amplifying the impact we can all have, even if it's in small ways.
"It's a day 'on,' not a day 'off,'" said Logan Heley, community engagement manager for Harvesters.
Boyda said he'd always wanted to volunteer at Harvesters.
"I was raised to try to give back and this was an opportunity to really do that," Boyda said. "And considering the climate in the world today, I think you just need a lot of positive things right now."
The volunteers repackaged and boxed up food items that Harvesters will send out to pantries, shelters and kitchens across the metro. Harvesters serves 26 counties in Kansas and Missouri and works with more than 700 partnering agencies to feed people in need.
"It's nice to actually get out and do something that will last for more than just the one day," Jones said.
Stevenson came to volunteer with her family.
"When you consider what Dr. King stood for, love and coming together for the greater good, that's why I'm here with my family today," Stevenson said .
Harvesters hopes the MLK Day of Service will inspire more people to come back, despite still being in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Everybody's wearing masks. We're taking extra safety precautions because of pandemic. We desperately need volunteers," Heley said. "We have drastically reduced our volunteer capacity because of the pandemic and to keep everyone distanced."
Volunteers said this day helps them feel like they're a part of something bigger, even when daily activities are limited.
"Anything we can do to support the community is important to us, 'cause it's our community, too," Noelle said. "And we have more than what a lot of other people have, so we have to give back."
Harvesters has plenty of open volunteer spots. Those interested should sign up in advance here.
