At Second Harvest, we make MLK Day of Service more than a day off. It’s a day on.
Each year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by bringing our community together to serve neighbors facing hunger.
Dr. King believed that service was a powerful force for change. He reminded us that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” That belief is why MLK Day of Service volunteering has become one of the most meaningful and impactful days of the year at Second Harvest.
Why MLK Day of Service Volunteering Matters
Dr. King understood that lasting change happens when people step forward to care for one another. Service was central to his vision of justice, dignity, and equity. These values align deeply with the fight against hunger.
Food insecurity does not exist in isolation. It is tied to barriers in health, education, and economic opportunity. MLK Day of Service volunteering gives people a tangible way to respond by supporting neighbors who need access to nourishing food.
MLK Day of Service Volunteering at Second Harvest
Each MLK Day, volunteers choose to honor Dr. King by taking action at our food bank. Families, students, corporate teams, faith groups, and community members come together for one of Second Harvest’s largest volunteer days of the year.
Through MLK Day of Service volunteering, participants help sort food, pack boxes, and prepare meals that will reach children, older adults, and families across Middle and West Tennessee. Every task completed helps move food closer to neighbors who need it.
This day is about unity, purpose, and shared responsibility.
Honoring Dr. King Through Service to Our Neighbors
MLK Day of Service volunteering reflects Dr. King’s belief that strong communities are built when people show up for one another. Inside our volunteer room, people from different backgrounds work side by side with one shared goal: caring for neighbors facing hunger.
Turning MLK Day of Service Volunteering Into Lasting Impact
While MLK Day of Service volunteering happens on one day in January, its impact lasts for weeks. The food packed and sorted supports partner agencies across our network and helps ensure neighbors have consistent access to nutritious food.
MLK Day of Service volunteering reminds us that service is how we honor Dr. King—not just with words, but with action. At Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, we are proud to host this day each year and invite our community to be part of it.