Join Us for Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service and Kindness January 16-24

News from the MLK Committee.

Due to the pandemic, we regret to report that we aren’t holding our annual celebration with food and music this year nor are we organizing formal service activities.  But we hope you still honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday on Monday, January 18^th.

You can help:

• Local groups that are distributing food (see list below)
• You can venture to Sligo Creek or any public area and do your own cleanup (use gloves and take trash and recyclables home)
• You can offer assistance to the elderly or infirm neighbors.
• You can perform any act of kindness.
• And you can shine a light into the darkness, symbolically and literally.
• Please go outdoors onto your front stoop or balcony 7:00-7:15 pm on MLK Jr. Day and lift a flashlight or a candle or your phone into the evening sky.

To quote Dr. King, “Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow I still have a dream.”

MLK Committee members Jackie Frazier, Cherwanda Oliver, Cindy Dyballa, Jay Keller, Annie Mozer, Howard Kohn

Acts of Kindness or Service

• A PTA coalition provides meals to families from Takoma Park Elementary, Piney Branch Elementary, East Silver Spring Elementary and Takoma Park Middle. Volunteers are needed to move boxes of food and to communicate in Spanish and Amharic. Older students receive SSL credit.  You can donate money at https://tpespta.net/donations/takoma-food/  Or sign up to volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AAFA72FA0F58-gift For more information contact Meghan Holland McDonald (megholland@gmail.com)

• Adventist Community Services distributes food and addresses other basic needs. On MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 18^th) they will be sorting food and clothing outdoors at 501 Sligo Ave, Silver Spring. (In case of rain or snow, they will cancel.) Contact Terry or Joyce Seamens at 240-793-5108 to schedule a time to volunteer — 3 one-hour shifts each with 15 volunteers (at least 3 must be adults). Shifts will start at 10 am, 11 am and Noon.

• Small Things Matter distributes fresh food and staples, with assistance from the TPSS Coop, Takoma Park Presbyterian church and the 9:30 Club. Currently they are looking for teens to earn SSL hours by making casseroles, baking, and bagging bulk items, and they ask that donations of canned foods and other nonperishable items be deposited in a grocery cart near the Coop service desk.  Volunteers can sign up at  https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/?agency_id=81036

• Homes Not Borders needs volunteers to sort household items and move furniture for refugee families on January 18^th (10 am to 1 pm) at 117 Elm Avenue, Takoma Park.  More information at https://www.mobilize.us/nationaldayofservice/event/369826/

• Montgomery County MLK service projects, both virtual and safely distanced, can be found at —https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/volunteers/MLK.html

• We Belong Here: Takoma Park Equity Walk is designed to challenge family and friends to explore equity by examining who we are and what makes us feel valued and included. Each station engages you in a fun, physical activity, then prompts discussion. Additional resources enhance understanding about ourselves and others.

• Crossroads Community Food Network will need volunteers at their farm market when it reopens on April 14^th.  Go to https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=76102