MLK National Day of Service 2025

Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. as we help our children build a world where all people are treated with kindness and respect. Teach your children that they can be true leaders and that their little hands can make a big impact on others by spreading Dr. King’s message of equality and love.

Click on the links below for additional information and to register. 

MLK Day | Monday, Jan. 20

MLK National Day of Service Program
Monday, January 20 | 10-11:30 am
Congregation Shalom – Fox Point

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an all-ages, family-friendly morning of learning and service. We will welcome a special guest speaker for story time, music, movement, and various on-site service projects, including packing winter hygiene kits for neighbors struggling with housing insecurity and decorating journals for cancer care kits.

Leadership Opportunity for Kids Ages 9-12
Sunday, January 19 | 3:30-5 p.m.
Monday, January 20 | 9:30 a.m.-noon
Congregation Shalom – Fox Point

We need junior leaders ages 9-12 to help with set-up the day before and assist attendees at various project stations the day of the event. If your child is ready for a little extra responsibility, invite them to grab a buddy and register as a Junior Leader for the Day!

THANK YOU to Congregation Shalom for generously hosting our Martin Luther King Jr. Day project!

Throughout January

Sort Books for Bernie’s Book Bank
Monday, January 20 | 4:30-6 p.m.
The Ivy House in the Fifth Ward

Sort and sticker and pack children’s books for distribution to schools throughout the Greater Milwaukee area. Discover how Bernie’s Book Bank transforms children’s lives through the power of book ownership. Bring a book to donate and give the gift of reading.

Social Justice Story Time: Celebrating MLK Day! (age 2-6)
Tuesday, January 21 | 10:30 – 11:30 am at the North Shore Library
Tuesday, January 21 | 4-5 pm at the Shorewood Library

Join KIC for a Social Justice Story Time with Rona Wolfe, an educator experienced in discussing big ideas with young kids and their grownups. Through stories Rona will introduce Martin Luther King Jr. and lead kid-friendly discussions about race, racial justice and address how even kids can take big actions in small ways.

Serve Pantry Guests at Kinship Community Food Center
Tuesday, January 21 | 3:30-6 p.m.
Kinship Community Food Center in Riverwest

Invite your kids to understand the power of generosity by assisting shoppers at Kinship Community Food Center in selecting groceries, carrying bags, stocking shelves, and cleaning up. Kinship is dedicated to helping residents build community, improve nutritional health, and reduce poverty through the power of food.

Unfolding Generosity Clothing Sort at Hope Center (two opportunities!)
Wednesday, January 8 and Wednesday, January 22 | 4-6 p.m.
Hope Center in Waukesha

Help ensure our neighbors look their best! Families will be sorting clothing donations, selecting gently used items and arranging them in the clothing shop. Feel free to bring clothing in dignity condition to donate.

Distribute Winter Hygiene Kits to Milwaukee’s Unhoused (Age 12+)
Saturday, January 25 | 7:45-9:15 a.m.
Kosciuszko Park in Milwaukee

Engage your children ages 12+ with Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge to distribute KIC assembled winter hygiene kits for Milwaukee residents living with housing insecurity.

Pack Diapers for Milwaukee Diaper Mission
Saturday, January 25 | 10-11 a.m. or 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Milwaukee Diaper Mission in Cudahy

Help Milwaukee families keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy by packing diapers at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission with your children.

Pack Rescued Food at Just One More Ministry
Saturday, January 25 | 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Just One More Ministry in Glendale

Shop in the warehouse pantry to prepare outreach bags to be distributed to food pantries, group homes, youth programs, women’s and children’s shelters, and programs supporting the unhoused, among others.

Lunch Pack and Love
Sunday, January 26 drop-off
At home project to be dropped off at various locations

Engage your children as dynamic change-making citizens by packing lunches in your own home to assist residents throughout the Greater Milwaukee community struggling with food insecurity. Lunches will be distributed by Just One More Ministry.

Serve a Meal at the Women’s Center
Thursday, January 30 | 5:15-7 p.m.
Milwaukee Women’s Center Shelter in Burnham Park Neighborhood

Brighten the evening of families staying at the Women’s Center with a delicious meal. Our volunteer group of children and caregivers will prepare and serve dinner to women and their children staying at the shelter.

Birthday Buddies
January 20 – February 2 Drop Off
Various locations

In honor of MLK’s Birthday month, help kids living in transitional housing circumstances celebrate their birthday! Decorate and pack a birthday kit with the necessary party supplies to support families at Meta House and foster kids served by Kids Matter Inc.