In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service.

The Missouri Clean Water AmeriCorps Members asked citizens of all ages and backgrounds to use the day off from work as a day “on” to volunteering.

The King Day of Service strengthens communities by addressing needs and introduces people to ongoing service opportunities.  People all over the nation will be participating in events such as collecting food and clothing, removing graffiti, cleaning neighborhoods and reading to children.

 “The number of Americans who lived in households that lacked consistent access to adequate food soared last year, to 49 million,” reported the New York Times on November 16. “The increase, of 13 million Americans . . . cast an alarming light on the daily hardships caused by the recession’s punishing effect on jobs and wages.”