Three Ways to Serve As a Family on MLK Day

I spent nine years as a Girl Scout. I learned how to change a tire, start a campfire, sell cookies and so much more. But the biggest and most important lesson that still sticks with me today is the charge to “always leave the place you’ve been, better than the way you found it.”

These words ring especially loud this year as we approach Martin Luther King Day, a national day of service.

It’s a day of service in America when so many people are in need; in need of food, in need of shelter, in need of kindness, in need of love.

While you may not be able to go out and volunteer in the same way as years past due to Covid-19, you and your family can still serve together.

Here are three easy ways to volunteer as a family this MLK Day.

Pick-up trash

This is most likely how we will spend our time this MLK Day. My daughter asks at least once a week if we can stop on the side of the highway to cleanup all of the litter. It hurts our hearts to see so much waste and items that can easy harm our water systems and animals. While we may not be stopping on the side of the interstate, we can visit a local trail, park or find a safe place with a sidewalk to clean up. Wear gloves! We also bring bags so we can separate trash from items that can be recycled.

Buy Groceries or Help at a Community Garden

One in five children struggles with hunger in North Carolina, according to FeedingAmerica.org. With most children learning from home, many are missing out on regular meals they relied on at school.

Take a look at your local food bank to see what items are most needed. Make a shopping list and head to the grocery store together. If you don’t feel safe taking the kids inside stores right now, have them help you order groceries online for pick-up. Then you can drop off the items together.

Does your church, school or office host a community garden? See how you can dig in (< see what I did there) to help!

Check out these North Carolina organizations for more information on how to help:

• Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
• Inter-faith Food Shuttle (Back Pack Buddies program)
• Raleigh City Farm – Farmshare program
• Dorcas Food Pantry

Give Money

It feels great when you can physically go out and do something or give items to a non-profit. I know. I know. But, money is often the most powerful gift you can give to non-profit organizations. It allows those trained staff and volunteers on the front lines to purchase what they need, exactly when they need it and helps cut down on the potential for things to go to waste. Organizations often have special relationships with product and service providers that offer discounts or options to buy in bulk. This helps your money make a greater impact. Not to mention, shelters and offices can’t pay their light bills with donated clothes or detergent. Chat with your children about their interests and what ideas they have about who they would like to help or how they would like to make the world a better place. If they love animals, have them empty out that piggy bank and donate their money to a local animal shelter or rescue group. Or give each of your children $10 (or whatever amount you choose) and ask them to choose a local organization to which they’d like to donate. Visit the group’s website together and learn more about their work. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” Let’s all be great together.