MLK Day Service Projects: How To Help In Melrose

MELROSE, MA — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a nationwide day of service honoring the legacy of the late civil rights leader. This year, it will be held on Monday, Jan. 19. Organized service projects have taken the place of the traditional work or school holidays in recent years.

King is the only non-president to have a national holiday named in his honor. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a day of service.

A community breakfast and volunteer sign-up will take place on the holiday at 9:30 a.m. at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church on 70 West Emerson St. Volunteers will depart to work at service projects across the city between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Cooking at Melrose Highlands Congregational Church on 355 Franklin St.: Adults and teenagers will prepare a dinner for the Bread of Life, and volunteers of all ages will cut out and decorate sugar and gingerbread cookies for Bread of Life.

Sorting at Trinity Parish on 131 West Emerson Street: Volunteers will help sort a large amount of donations to theTrinity Parish Thrift Shop on Monday mornings, as well as restock the sales floor.

Shopping for Pantry of Hope at First Baptist Church on 561 Main St.: Volunteers will shop for items for the Pantry of Hope, which is based at the church.

Story Hour at Temple Beth Shalom on 21 East Foster St.: Readings of stories from African American History with a space to talk about diversity.

Support Families impacted by immigration policies at First United Methodist Church on 645 Main St.: Interested supporters are being asked to bring hats, gloves and wool socks for families impacted by immigration policies. A book sale will have all proceeds go directly to families in need supported by LUCE Massachusetts in Malden and Everett.

The night before on Sunday, Jan. 18, a community potluck and Opening Doors Project Concert will be held at Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church. The potluck will begin at 5 p.m. and last two hours until the concert begins at 7 p.m. Registration is required and can be done so online.

Even if there aren’t any organized service projects planned nearby, there are several other ways to help those in need in or near Melrose. Here are 10 ways to serve:

1. Host a National Day of Service project in your community.

2. Volunteer for a hunger project to continue King’s work to combat poverty and hunger, or sign up to host a virtual event.

3. Volunteer at local homeless shelters or soup kitchens.

4. Check off items from your kids’ teachers’ wish lists on Amazon or some other site.

5. Clean up a local park or around your neighborhood, either through an organized litter removal effort or on your own.

6. Go through your pantry, closets, basement, and garage, and bag up non-perishables and gently used items to donate.

7. Make a commitment to join one of these civil rights organizations.

8. Visit an assisted living facility or local nursing home. Spend time with the residents through conversation and joining them in activities.

9. Arrange with the hospital in advance to read to children at a local hospital or shelter, and then leave the books behind.

10. Send thank-you notes to service and essential workers, including police and emergency responders, health care providers, teachers, snow plow drivers, mail carriers, grocery clerks, or anyone else who performs duties that increase community well-being.