Volunteers honor Martin Luther King Jr with day of service

January 22, 2018 – Hundreds of volunteers flooded Oregon Food Bank on January 15 as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. In 1994, Congress designated the third Monday in January as a national day of service, challenging Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action to honor the late activist’s memory.

The Day of Service at Oregon Food Bank was sponsored by Bank of America and brought together nearly 500 people. Employees from Bank of America, Pacific Power, Nike, Intel and other organizations joined with individuals and families to repack 82,000 pounds of food – equivalent to more than 68,000 meals.

For five-time MLK Day of Service volunteer Jonathan Sewell, who is also a Business Banking Relationship Manager with Bank of America, the connection he has to Oregon Food Bank’s mission is personal. Both his mother and grandmother needed assistance from Oregon Food Bank.

“Hunger touches many individuals, families and children. I’m proud that Bank of America is helping strengthen our community through our long-standing partnership with Oregon Food Bank to address this pervasive issue in the spirit of Dr. King,” he said. “Volunteering here is always personal and makes me feel better connected to my community and my coworkers when we do this event.”

His oldest daughter, now seven, joined him for the second year in a row. “She gives it her all,” said Jonathan. “Last year after the Day of Service she asked when she could go again, so we’ve made a point to volunteer with Oregon Food Bank at other times throughout the year.”

Bank of America began sponsoring this event seven years ago, but its commitment to ending hunger goes much deeper. During the giving season, the company holds its Give a Meal challenge: for every $1 donated to food banks through Bank of America, it donates $2. Oregon Food Bank received nearly $20,000 through these efforts in 2017. The bank also encourages employees to volunteer at the Food Bank at other times of the year. Last year, more than 70 Bank of America volunteers spent nearly 600 hours repacking food and tending Oregon Food Bank’s farm and gardens.

Many volunteer opportunities are available at Oregon Food Bank throughout 2018. Help end hunger by signing up for a volunteer shift at oregonfoodbank.org/volunteer.