Every year the city of Birmingham gathers to commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by giving back to the community. Read below about the 8 ways you can get involved in your community on MLK Day and every day of the year!
1. Black Warrior Riverkeeper
In Alabama, we are river people. Join Black Warrior Riverkeeper and their partners in District 1 to clean their watershed. This event takes place along the roadside in an area where sidewalks are limited, so please be mindful of that when signing up. Be sure to wear long pants, comfy clothes, closed-toe shoes, and have sunscreen and a water bottle handy!
- When: January 16, 9AM to Noon
- Where: Rebirth Christian Fellowship
- Sign up today!
- Contact | Website | Phone | Facebook | Instagram
2. Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Join the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to solve hunger! See how food goes from donation to delivery by helping professional staff in the warehouse, you’ll help sort, assign, and assemble food boxes for their Mobile Pantry & Family Market programs. Those interested in outreach can volunteer for their mobile pantry that serves twelve Alabama counties. If you want to get your office or organization involved, register to host a Peer-to-Peer fund drive–$1 can provide up to 4 meals.
- Location
- Explore Volunteer Opportunities
- Bonus: 17 ways you can prevent hunger in Alabama now
- Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Literacy Council of Central Alabama
58% of adults ages 16-74 in Central Alabama need improved reading, writing, or language skills. For over thirty years, the Literacy Council of Central Alabama has hosted programs and classes for adults and their families through literacy education that teaches people to read, write, and speak English. Throughout the year they host volunteer opportunities, including their Junior Board’s annual fundraiser.
- Explore their Junior Board
- Become a tutor
- Donate
- Contact: Website | Phone | Facebook
4. Alabama Appleseed
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice works with communities across the state of Alabama to end poverty and achieve racial justice at the federal, state, and local levels. You can support their mission in a variety of ways, from donating to writing to your legislator, lawyers also have. the opportunity to volunteer to represent cases they bring forward.
5. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. by visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI). The museum will be open on Monday, January 16, and will have free admission for all. This day will also conclude the museum’s temporary Emmett Till exhibition, be sure to check it out before it’s gone. BCRI welcomes all interested volunteers over the age of eighteen. There’s no experience required and the staff at BCRI will provide all of the necessary training to accepted volunteers.
- Location
- Hours: 10AM – 5PM
- Learn more about the Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley exhibition
- Explore volunteer opportunities
- Donate
- Contact: Website | Phone | Facebook | Instagram
6. United Way Hands On
The volunteer center for United Way Hands-On averages 67,000 volunteers each year and you could be next! This opportunity is the first step in the door when it comes to volunteering for United Way of Central Alabama. Help build homes, refurbish schools, clean up neighborhoods, and more.
- When: January 16
- Time: 8AM – 4PM (depending on your project)
- Sign up for their MLK Day of Service!
- Contact: Website | Phone | Facebook
8. Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels serves over 2,000 home-bound senior citizens in Jefferson County on a daily basis. Whether you want to help stock the pantry, get your office group to volunteer, or donate items on their wish list–there are many ways to give back with Meals on Wheels.
- Location
- Explore volunteer opportunities
- Contact: Website | Phone | Facebook | Instagram
- Bonus: 5 reasons you need to sign up to be a Meals on Wheels volunteer right now
See also: 8 ways to celebrate MLK week in Alabama
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