Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a time set aside each year for us, as a country, to work together in serving others and making our communities more equitable. His legacy inspires us to passionately fight against discrimination in all forms and uplift the most vulnerable in our communities.
This year’s theme, “The Urgency of Now: One Community, One Love,” explores the connection between racism and inequality and how discrimination creates vulnerable communities in need.
The City of College Park is providing multiple ways our residents can honor Dr. King’s legacy on January 16th and beyond:
- Virtual Panel: Join us and our panelists on January 16th, 2023 from 7:00-8:00pm for a thought-provoking discussion on Dr. King’s teachings and legacy. Registration is free. RSVP here.
- ART, VISUAL ART, AND ESSAY COMPETITION: In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we would like to hear about how Dr. King’s legacy has impacted your life. This art, visual arts, and essay competition is open to kindergarten through 12th grade students who live in the City of College Park. Students must submit their entry by Monday, January 30, 2023. Learn more here.
- FOOD DRIVE: Throughout January, the City of College Park will honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a canned food drive starting Tuesday, January 3rd through Tuesday, Jan. 31. A collection box will be established at the City Hall Building, 7401 Baltimore Avenue.
The City will accept your donations of clean, non-dented canned & boxed non-perishable food items, not past their expiration date (no homemade items accepted) to support the College Park Community Food Bank. The College Park Community Food Bank reduces hunger in College Park and the surrounding communities by regularly offering healthy food to individuals and families. The need is great as they are serving three times the number of families than usual during COVID-19.
PREFERRED ITEMS: Beans, Soup, Tuna, Canned Fruit (in juice or light syrup), Canned Veggies (no salt added or low sodium), Peanut Butter, Pasta, Canned Tomatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Rice
- BOOK GIVEAWAY: As part of our tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the month of January, the City giving away free copies of three books that educate and inform about Dr. King’s life and his work toward Civil Rights:
- Martin’s Big Words (grade range: k-3)
- We March (grade range: 1 –2)
- The Civil Rights Movement (grade range: 4-6)
City residents can receive one copy of one or each of the three books, while supplies last. To request a copy of any of these books, please complete the application at https://bit.ly/MLKBookGiveaway. You will receive an email when your book(s) are available for pickup. The requested books must be picked up at City Hall (7401 Baltimore Ave) during business hours. Up to one copy per book per household, while supplies last. City residency is required. Please bring a copy of your submitted form and proof of residency. You must pick up your book(s) by March 1st, 2023.
For the full list of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration activities, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/mlktribute.