HUNTS POINT — Hundreds of volunteers celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by sorting and organizing about 20,000 pounds of food through the Food Bank for New York City’s warehouse and distribution center in The Bronx, organizers said Monday.
Families and children helped get food to needy people across the city at the Food Bank’s facility in the Hunts Point Cooperative Market from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“When you think about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and commitment to service, it’s important to give people opportunities if they want to give back and be able to see an immediate impact,” said Lisa Hines-Johnson, COO for the Food Bank.
This is the second year that the Food Bank has held a “weekend of service” for MLK Day. Last year, organizers worked with about 400 volunteers, and this year they are working with about 600 people throughout the city.
The events are meant to help pay tribute to Dr. King’s spirit and passion for community service, according to Heather McGreevy, volunteer engagement manager at the Food Bank.
“He had a deep commitment to service,” she said. “What better way to honor the tremendous legacy that he left than by serving your community?”