Each year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — Jan. 16 this year.
The theme for this year is “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” according to The King Center, a nonprofit founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.
If you have time to dedicate to our community, here are three local volunteer opportunities:
- Austin Justice Coalition | Help this Black-led organization serve people impacted by gentrification, segregation, and systematic discrimination.
- Central Texas Food Bank | From assembling food packages, cooking meals, and distributing food at mobile pantries, there’s a wide range of ways you can contribute to providing meals for food-insecure Texans.
- Caritas of Austin | Put together hygiene care kits and snack care kits for people experiencing homelessness in Austin. (You can also serve lunch in the community kitchen, help with deliveries + pick-ups, and help staff members with administrative duties.)
You can also participate in the MLK Celebration Community March from the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus, to the steps of the Capitol, to Huston-Tillotson University, where a festival and food drive await. Businesses, nonprofits, and individuals alike are invited to celebrate Dr. King at the event starting 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.
North Austin residents can also participate in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk and Celebration with Round Rock city groups — including the city’s Black History Organization — from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Baca Center on Saturday, Jan. 14. For more MLK Day events, check out our events calendar.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out more local volunteer opportunities .