ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of volunteers spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day giving back to the Central Florida community, turning the holiday into a day of service focused on fighting hunger.
What You Need To Know
More than 5,000 volunteers packed one million meals on MLK Day
The event is in the third year of partnership between the Orlando Mayor’s MLK Jr. Commission and U.S. Hunger
One in seven people in Central Florida face food insecurity, including one in six children
Organizers say the event reflects unity, purpose, and service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Orlando Mayor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commission partnered with U.S. Hunger with an ambitious goal: to pack one million meals for families in need.
“I brought my daughter, my husband, my sister and others brought their children. So we all are giving back in honor of MLK,” said volunteer Sheena Jackson.
On Monday, music and dancing filled the space as 5,000 volunteers worked side by side to reach that goal.
“It fills your cup, so it’s giving back. It doesn’t feel like work when you’re doing a good deed,” Jackson said.
For many families, food insecurity is a daily reality.
“Today is a day on and not a day off. Food insecurity is a growing issue,” said Travis Waters who formerly was a part of the Orlando Mayor’s MLK Jr. Commission.
In Central Florida, one in seven people faces food insecurity, and one in six of them are children.
“We’re able to come together as one unity, as Dr. MLK would like,” said Justin Risbrook, an Orlando Youth MLK Humanitarian.
The event marks the third year the Orlando Mayor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commission has partnered with U.S. Hunger, and organizers say the need continues to grow.
“Today is a message of unity. Today is a message of purpose,” Waters said.