Make it meaningful
Each year, Duke encourages all community members to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day by engaging in acts of community service in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. With opportunities across campus and our community, now is a great time to sign up for the activity most meaningful to you.
Duke events
Duke Student event: The Backpack Project
The Backpack Project is a student organization that provides backpacks of supplies to set neighbors up for success; they also provide tutoring services and work with many local partners, such as Families Moving Forward. The Durham chapter was founded by Ashley Talwar, a Duke student.
What: Pack 300 backpacks with essential toiletries and winter essentials. Write letters/cards to the recipients.
When: Monday, January 20th, 11am-12pm (following the Unity Rally)
Where: Wilson Gym, Duke University
Sign up: Open to 50 student athletes and 50 general body students. General student sign-up, student athlete sign-up.
Hosted by: Duke Athletics, Duke Community Affairs, Duke Facilities
Duke community event: Rotary Club meal packing
The Duke community helps pack 60,000 meals in Durham at the Rotary Club’s annual service event, which will pack more than 150,000 meals in all. These meals will be distributed across the Triangle by the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. The local event is open to the Duke community and requires registration (currently at capacity). This event is hosted by the regional Rotary Club with support from Duke, Pinnacle Financial Services, and Wegmans. The event will take place at the Duke School on Monday, January 20th. Registrants are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate.
Durham community events
Below is a partial list of community events. This is not exhaustive. Please visit the website or social channel for the organizations you know that resonate with you; many are planning an activity during the two weeks surrounding MLK Day.
Here are some community partner opportunities:
- DPS Foundation: January 11 – MLK: Celebrating the Legacy Through the Arts
- United Way of the Triangle: January 20 – multiple events throughout the day for different ages
- Book Harvest Celebration & Book Drive: January 12, 1-4 p.m.
- Keep Durham Beautiful: January 17-20 – multiple events
- YMCA of the Triangle: January 18 (National Day of Racial Healing) and January 20 – events and conversations on both days
- Activate Good: January 18-25 – Dignity Week events
Connect with service opportunities anytime
Duke makes it easy for faculty, staff and students to connect with community service opportunities all year long. Visit the Connect platform to find opportunities by any interest area and date.
