By Dianne Anderson
From Orange County to Long Beach, students and volunteers are getting energized around rising up and early on their day off for hard work and no pay.
But it doesn’t mean it won’t be fun.
On their “Day On, Not a Day Off,” they will be thinking of Dr. King as less of a philosophy, and more as community action.
On Monday, January 19, 2026, UC Irvine students will show up strong at the Orange County Food Bank warehouse from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., located at 11870 Monarch Street in Garden Grove.
The food bank has hosted the MLK volunteer event for over 25 years, pulling over 1,000 volunteers, companies, local college students, politicians, and anybody else that wants to roll up their sleeves and pack it up.
For the upcoming event, Gregory Scott expects a lot of youthful energy.
“Even though it is centered around food insecurity, it does become a fun event for people who want to get engaged. There’s competition from groups of who’s going to do more boxes than the other group,” said Scott, President & CEO of Community Action Partnership of Orange County.
But as national food insecurity hits hard and high, he is aware that the crisis is as urgent now as it was in King’s day. The situation lately almost reminds him of COVID, when people had mortgages and nice cars, but were in line to get a food box.
“This past year, especially recently, even though that was a pandemic, and it was different, but the impact on families seems very similar. People that once had a six-figure job who lost their job or something happened, they are now food insecure,” he said.
As CEO, Scott also oversees OC Food Bank as one of CAP OC’s largest programs. For those that can’t make it out for the day, they always welcome food, money, or volunteers, also at other times of the year.
It’s all about helping people in need.
“We serve 25,000 seniors every single month. With those numbers, I’m grateful we’re in a position to do so, but also those numbers tell you how dire the situation is,” he said.
Kathy Dong said registrations fill quickly because students value giving back and campus spirit. As part of the Cross-Cultural Center’s MLK Jr. Symposium, she said the UCI programs move beyond MLK Day into communities through action for long-term systemic change.
Dr. King’s work was focused on economic equity, and the UCI partnership with OC Food Bank honors his legacy.
“Our partnership with the OC Food Bank honors the idea that caring for each other is necessary and that food insecurity is still a large issue in our local communities,” said Dong, M.S., Assistant Director of Campus Organizations and Volunteer Programs at UCI Student Life and Leadership.
According to the OC Hunger Alliance, food insecurity is projected at 13.7 percent, or one in seven Orange County residents struggle with hunger.
Dr. King was killed April 4, 1968, about five weeks before he was set to launch the Poor People’s Campaign on the National Mall. The day before, he had spent time supporting safe conditions and fair wages for Black sanitation workers.
After his assassination, the Poor People’s Campaign launched, drawing thousands of protesters nationwide to demand jobs, housing, and food.
Dr. Elizabeth Jordie Davies said Black Lives Matter continues that legacy. She is also focused on the leadership of Black women and explores how grassroots organizing is reshaping social justice today.
“Black Lives Matter, for example, is a movement inspired by the direct action activism of the Civil Rights Movement, but also deeply influenced by the fearless commitment to Blackness we saw in the Black Power Movement,” said Dr. Davies, a political scientist at UC Irvine who researches modern social movements.
Still, reaching Dr. King’s goals holds a lot of unfinished business.
“I think Black movements are following Dr. King’s anti-war stances. For example, Black-led organizations like the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression have been vocal about ending the genocide in Palestine and America’s complicity in that war,” she said in an email.
Following MLK Day volunteerism, a Community Service and Leadership Fair is held Wednesday, January 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at UCI Student Center, linking students and community members with local nonprofits.
In Long Beach, one of Southern California’s biggest events of the new year will hit the streets at the 38th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade at 10:00 a.m. from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street.
Following, a community festival runs from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Avenue, with live entertainment, a Kid Zone, and food and vendors.
Hosted by the City of Long Beach and the Office of Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro, the event honors Dr. King’s life, legacy, and values, and celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach.
Laath Martin, city spokesperson, said this year’s theme, “Rise Up, Stand Up for His Dream,” is a reminder to take action for justice, equality, and unity.
The MLK Celebration Committee, WE GOT THIS LBCares, and Friends of MLK Park have also launched a free Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry Contest for Long Beach K-12 students or home-schooled students, with winners reading on the main stage. Apply by January 5, 2026, at tinyurl.com/2hy37j4y.
Organizations and vendors can participate free of charge in the parade and park celebration, but must bring their own tables, chairs, and tents. Food vendors need a valid business license and a temporary food facility application.
Right now, Martin said the city is looking for 40 friendly, eager volunteers, 18 years or older, to help staff information booths, set up, break down, trash collection, and ensure safety standing at barricades.
“Celebrations like the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration underscore the City’s commitment to creating space to honor history, strengthen belonging, and advance racial equity. To that end, our vision is a Long Beach where race and ethnicity do not determine social and economic outcomes for those who live, work, play, and age here,” he said.
For more information:
To donate, see https://www.capoc.org/hope-donate/
Orange County volunteers: capoc.org/volunteer
Long Beach K-12 students: tinyurl.com/2hy37j4y
Parade application: tinyurl.com/2026MLKParade
Volunteer form: tinyurl.com/2026MLKVolunteer