HAMPTON, Va. — On Monday, the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
To honor the civil rights activist and his legacy, individuals from throughout the nation (and right here in Hampton Roads) spent the day serving others.
Dozens of volunteers labored on the Virginia Peninsula Meals Financial institution Monday morning gathering and organizing donations.
Meals financial institution operations director Renee Figurelle stated it is an annual occasion each MLK Day.
“[King] “It was about volunteering and giving again to the neighborhood and that’s what we’re doing in the present day,” he stated. “As we speak now we have 70 volunteers right here, volunteering and doing every kind of various issues for the Meals Financial institution.”
He stated his staff organizes the annual meals drive with the assistance of the town of Newport Information. He stated the aim is to struggle meals insecurity and provides again to those that want it most.
“It is a massive drawback and folks do not give it some thought. We take into consideration giving meals again throughout the holidays, however everybody eats daily. When there’s meals insecurity: it is onerous to pay attention; it is onerous to maintain a job.” Figuralle stated.
“We’re right here to help, and when you’re again in your ft, you’ll give the meals financial institution a hand once more.”
As neighborhood members arrived with donations, volunteers moved round, organizing bins, stacking canned items, and sorting non-perishable meals. It is an effort spearheaded by Newport Information metropolis leaders. Members of the town’s police division, hearth division and sheriff’s workplace rallied to assist.
Congressman Bobby Scott and Legal professional Normal Jason Miyares additionally got here to thank the volunteers for his or her good work.
“It actually represents what Dr. King’s imaginative and prescient actually is. Dr. King’s imaginative and prescient was a imaginative and prescient for all Individuals. My household got here right here from Cuba; what Dr. King did was open the door for America to be a spot for everybody, of all ages. backgrounds,” Miyares stated.
“Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, close to the tip of her life, stated the way in which individuals ought to acknowledge Dr. King’s legacy is to make this present day a day of service.”
Newport Information Mayor Phillip Jones stated this present day of service meals assortment is a long-standing initiative began below the town’s earlier mayor and he’s dedicated to protecting the donation drive going.
“This isn’t a day without work. This can be a day without work responsibility,” Jones stated. “Meals insecurity is not only a metropolis problem, it is a regional problem. Having this facility right here in the course of Newport Information and Hampton, a spot the place now we have main meals insecurity, means lots to me. It was a precedence of Mayor Value and will probably be a precedence of mine sooner or later.”