This year, Philadelphia will be celebrating Martin Luther King Jr’s Day from the 15th to the 18th with in person and virtual events

Philadelphia

1. Citywide Cleanup: Organized by I love Thy Hood, volunteers will help clean up the city with volunteer locations occurring in Kensington, North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, and Germantown. This will occur on Sunday, January 17 at 10:00AM.

2. Food Volunteering: Organized by Philabundance, volunteers can help in multiple areas like helping pack food for seniors and at-risk populations, helping stock food pantries, and helping with food distribution. This will occur on Monday, January 18 at various times.

Virtual

1. Through Our Lens: Reading & Conversation: Sponsored by the African American Museum in Philadelphia, authors and a poet laureate will discuss the immigrant and first generation experience while centering Blackness within a broader context. This will occur on Sunday, January 17 from 3:00PM to 4:30PM.

2. Reading Captain Virtual Volunteering: At the end of this 90 minute training, literacy trainers will certify you as a reading captain in Philadelphia. You’ll learn how to help parents in your community learn what common developmental milestone parents look for, how to make the most of school time and access local literacy resources, and more. This will occur on Monday, January 18 from 10:30PM – 12:00PM.

3. John Lewis: Good Trouble: Also sponsored by the African American Museum in Philadelphia, a documentary on John Lewis’s life and legacy will be available for viewing on Monday, January 18 from 12:00PM – 2:00PM.

4. Free Philadelphia Orchestra Concert: Partnering with Philadelphia’s MLK Day of Service, the program will celebrate the life and legacy of MLK through music and interviews with prominent Philadelphians. This will occur on Monday, January 18 at 7:00PM.

5. Racism and Conversations Volunteering: The Urban Affairs Coalition is asking for volunteers to facilitate conversations around ending racism with their “POD” or personal network. The conversation can be around 30 to 45 minutes with guided questions from the coalition. Afterwards, participants will be surveyed to gather data about the service event.