United Way expects 800 volunteers for MLK Day of Service in Flint

FLINT, Mich. — United Way of Genesee County plans to bring together hundreds of volunteers on Monday, Jan. 19, as part of its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, transforming the federal holiday into a day focused on community impact.

Sponsored by Huntington National Bank, the event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dort Event Center, where approximately 800 volunteers are expected to pack 200,000 meals for local food pantries across Genesee County.

Opening remarks will begin at 9 a.m., followed by meal-packing activities from 9:15 a.m. through 1 p.m. Volunteers will include families with children, K–12 and college students, AmeriCorps members and senior volunteers, as well as representatives from local businesses and organizations.

The MLK Day of Service is held annually to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through acts of service and civic engagement. Locally, United Way leaders say the effort highlights the power of volunteerism in addressing food insecurity and other basic needs in the community.

The event is supported by a wide range of local and regional sponsors, including Applegate Chevrolet, Dort Financial Credit Union, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, McLaren Healthcare, the Mott Foundation and Youth Service America, among others.