From the Orange County Newsroom
On January 20th, the Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative participated in the U.S. Hunger 2nd Annual MLK Day of Service Million Meal Pack in collaboration with the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Up to 4,500 volunteers, with 21 local sponsors, helped pack 1,013,580 healthy meals. The event also raised $10,000 for scholarship funds for local students pursuing careers in service and technology.
“It’s unlike any other event because you have thousands of people coming together under the same roof to pack a million meals in a single day,” said Lavon Williams, deputy director, Orange County Community Action Division. “Every meal packed has been sent to food pantries across Central Florida, helping our neighbors in need secure that next meal.”
Williams added that what also makes the event so special is the community coming together in the spirit of Dr. King to demonstrate the passion we have for our neighbors on a very historic day in our country.
“It’s about selflessness and volunteerism with the objective of combatting food insecurity,” she explained. “Working together to pack meals with your friends, coworkers and neighbors – and having fun doing it – to give someone the gift of their next meal is absolutely worthwhile.”
Orlando Mayor Jerry L. Demings created the Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative in the spirit of bringing the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to unincorporated areas of Orange County and the surrounding community. Dr. King’s lifelong commitment to civil rights, nonviolence and justice for all has inspired those who came after him to continue his work.
“He dedicated his life to public service, and we do this to honor his legacy,” said Mayor Demings. “Our goal with the MLK Jr. Initiative and everything else we endeavor to do is make a difference through community service.”
For Williams, seeing all walks of life work together toward a common goal of improving quality of life for their neighbors is truly inspiring.
“It shows that the effort everyone puts in helps us achieve the unthinkable,” she said, “and in doing so, each volunteer has helped spread positivity throughout Central Florida.”
She also stressed that Orange County warmly welcomes anyone in the community to volunteer. “We would love to see you at next year’s event so you can join in on the fun challenge and feel good knowing every meal you help pack will bring food security to our community,” she said.
The Million Meal Pack was held at the Orange County Convention Center.
For more information, go to U.S. Hunger and Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative.
