How You Can Honor Dr. King and Help Your Local Food Bank

On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, many students and workers have the day off to reflect on the life's work of the civil rights leader. At the end of his life, Dr. King was working on the "Poor People's Campaign," a movement to ensure that everyone--regardless of race, class, or creed--had their basic needs met in a society as rich as our own.

This Monday, Jan. 21, more than 130 volunteers will join the Alameda County Community Food Bank to sort a windfall of fresh produce and food-drive donations for our neighbors meet their most basic need: food. Though the event is full, you can still help make a difference.

Although the holidays are over, hunger is a year-round problem. The Food Bank is experiencing a shortage of high-quality protein items such as peanut butter, beans, canned tuna and canned chicken. Drop off your donations at the Food Bank on Monday between 9 a.m. and noon (7900 Edgewater Drive), or at a food-drive barrel location near you.

You can also help by signing up to volunteer anytime in January, February and March! Many shifts (especially on weekdays) have room for more than 30 volunteers. Bring in your coworkers, family, friends, book club, youth group or other large group to help us firsthand.

For details on food drive donations and how to volunteer, click here.