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These Kansas Citians celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by serving others in need

By Tammy Ljungblad
Robin Henderson, left, of Lee’s Summit and April Sutherland of Belton, took a selfie together during the We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school to paint, pack hygiene kits, to provide financial literacy education, and pack food bags. The women are in the Beta Omega Chapter of Kansas City.
Robin Henderson, left, of Lee’s Summit and April Sutherland of Belton, took a selfie together during the We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school to paint, pack hygiene kits, to provide financial literacy education, and pack food bags. The women are in the Beta Omega Chapter of Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and many across Kansas City celebrated the day by doing something to serve others in need.

Volunteers fanned out across the metro to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with many showing up at Harvesters to pack food, while members of the Church of the Resurrection volunteered at 20 local organizations to lend a hand to those in need or support organizations that assist others. Also doing community service were members of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority.

In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service, marking the third Monday in January each year as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service—a “Day On, Not a Day Off.”

Volunteers Meagan Witkowski, left, of Overland Park, her daughter, Audrey Witkowski, 13, and Emme Walker, 14, of Kansas City packed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend.
Volunteers Meagan Witkowski, left, of Overland Park, her daughter, Audrey Witkowski, 13, and Emme Walker, 14, of Kansas City packed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Tricia Triplett-Craddolph of Blue Springs touched up the paint in the entryway during the We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school to paint, pack hygiene kits, to provide financial literacy education, and pack food bags.
Tricia Triplett-Craddolph of Blue Springs touched up the paint in the entryway during the We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school to paint, pack hygiene kits, to provide financial literacy education, and pack food bags. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers Nancy Allen and her son, Maxwell Simmons, 9, of Lee’s Summit, pack protein boxes at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Harvesters is a community food network that distributes food and resources through more than 900 partner agencies.
Volunteers Nancy Allen and her son, Maxwell Simmons, 9, of Lee’s Summit, pack protein boxes at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Harvesters is a community food network that distributes food and resources through more than 900 partner agencies. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers Nancy Allen and her son, Maxwell Simmons, 9, of Lee’s Summit, pack protein boxes at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Harvesters is a community food network that distributes food and resources through more than 900 partner agencies.
Volunteers Nancy Allen and her son, Maxwell Simmons, 9, of Lee’s Summit, pack protein boxes at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Harvesters is a community food network that distributes food and resources through more than 900 partner agencies. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers filled the gymnasium tying plastic bags together to create to plarn mats, sleeping mats made from plastic bags that are crocheted together, during the he YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. The mats will be donated to the unhoused or those in need.
Volunteers filled the gymnasium tying plastic bags together to create to plarn mats, sleeping mats made from plastic bags that are crocheted together, during the he YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. The mats will be donated to the unhoused or those in need. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers were on hand to pack BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Harvesters in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend.
Volunteers were on hand to pack BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Harvesters in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Palmer Mason wrote cards of encouragement for students, veterans, and neighbors facing food insecurity during the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City.
Palmer Mason wrote cards of encouragement for students, veterans, and neighbors facing food insecurity during the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Thank you cards and cards of encouragement for veterans, students and neighbors facing food insecurity were written by volunteers during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City.
Thank you cards and cards of encouragement for veterans, students and neighbors facing food insecurity were written by volunteers during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers Gretchen Schmanke of Overland Park, from left, Meagan Witkowski, of Overland Park, her daughter, Audrey Witkowski, 13, and Emme Walker, 14, of Kansas City packed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend.
Volunteers Gretchen Schmanke of Overland Park, from left, Meagan Witkowski, of Overland Park, her daughter, Audrey Witkowski, 13, and Emme Walker, 14, of Kansas City packed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Thank you cards were written by volunteers during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City.
Thank you cards were written by volunteers during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteer Anissa Anthony ties plastic bags together as part of a project to make plarn mats, sleeping mats made from plastic bags that are crocheted together, during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. It takes about 600 bags to create a plarn mat, which will be donated to the unhoused or others in need.
Volunteer Anissa Anthony ties plastic bags together as part of a project to make plarn mats, sleeping mats made from plastic bags that are crocheted together, during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. It takes about 600 bags to create a plarn mat, which will be donated to the unhoused or others in need. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, including from left, Josea Tyler, Lynne Boyer, Julie Gray, Shellye Oatis, Christina Jenkins, and Audrey Gardner, sorted donations to pack hygiene kits during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Elementary Jr. School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City.
Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, including from left, Josea Tyler, Lynne Boyer, Julie Gray, Shellye Oatis, Christina Jenkins, and Audrey Gardner, sorted donations to pack hygiene kits during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Elementary Jr. School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Thank you cards and cards of encouragement for veterans, students and neighbors facing food insecurity were written by volunteers during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City.
Thank you cards and cards of encouragement for veterans, students and neighbors facing food insecurity were written by volunteers during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Gloria Wheaton, left, of Kansas City, directs a volunteer to the gym for the We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school to paint, pack hygiene kits, to provide financial literacy education, and pack food bags.
Gloria Wheaton, left, of Kansas City, directs a volunteer to the gym for the We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school to paint, pack hygiene kits, to provide financial literacy education, and pack food bags. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A volunteer headed to pack food boxes at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City.
A volunteer headed to pack food boxes at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteer Anissa Anthony, left, and Candace Ross tie plastic bags together as part of a project to make plarn mats, sleeping mats made from plastic bags that are crocheted together, during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. It takes about 600 bags to create a plarn mat, which will be donated to the unhoused or others in need.
Volunteer Anissa Anthony, left, and Candace Ross tie plastic bags together as part of a project to make plarn mats, sleeping mats made from plastic bags that are crocheted together, during the YMCA MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the Cleaver Family YMCA in Kansas City. It takes about 600 bags to create a plarn mat, which will be donated to the unhoused or others in need. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteer Gretchen Schmanke of Overland Park, right, and others packed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend.
Volunteer Gretchen Schmanke of Overland Park, right, and others packed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides food for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Little Miss AKA Harleigh Reed, 12, of Raytown, from left, Josephine Patterson and Little Miss AKA Junior Lauryn Griffin, 9, of Raymore, packed bags of food during the during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City.
Little Miss AKA Harleigh Reed, 12, of Raytown, from left, Josephine Patterson and Little Miss AKA Junior Lauryn Griffin, 9, of Raymore, packed bags of food during the during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection including Kai Owells, 12, and his mother, Michelle Owells of Olathe, sorted apples at Knabe’s Market on during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The volunteers sorted over a ton of produce donated from a local wholesaler into four categories: Kanbe’s Healthy Corner Stores (providing fresh, affordable produce to underserved areas), Community Partners (supplying food pantries), Animal Feed, and Compost. Knabe’s Market kept over 1 million pounds out of the landfills with their redirection efforts in 2024.
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection including Kai Owells, 12, and his mother, Michelle Owells of Olathe, sorted apples at Knabe’s Market on during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The volunteers sorted over a ton of produce donated from a local wholesaler into four categories: Kanbe’s Healthy Corner Stores (providing fresh, affordable produce to underserved areas), Community Partners (supplying food pantries), Animal Feed, and Compost. Knabe’s Market kept over 1 million pounds out of the landfills with their redirection efforts in 2024. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers sorted hygiene items during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school for school beautification and painting, to pack student hygiene kits and food items and for a financial literacy workshop.
Volunteers sorted hygiene items during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Over 140 members, graduate and undergraduate of the Kansas City Metro Chapters of the AKA sorority, gathered at the school for school beautification and painting, to pack student hygiene kits and food items and for a financial literacy workshop. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection including Kai Owells, 12, and his mother, Michelle Owells of Olathe, sorted apples at Knabe’s Market on during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The volunteers sorted over a ton of produce donated from a local wholesaler into four categories: Kanbe’s Healthy Corner Stores (providing fresh, affordable produce to underserved areas), Community Partners (supplying food pantries), Animal Feed, and Compost. Knabe’s Market kept over 1 million pounds out of the landfills with their redirection efforts in 2024.
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection including Kai Owells, 12, and his mother, Michelle Owells of Olathe, sorted apples at Knabe’s Market on during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The volunteers sorted over a ton of produce donated from a local wholesaler into four categories: Kanbe’s Healthy Corner Stores (providing fresh, affordable produce to underserved areas), Community Partners (supplying food pantries), Animal Feed, and Compost. Knabe’s Market kept over 1 million pounds out of the landfills with their redirection efforts in 2024. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Little Miss AKA Harleigh Reed, 12, of Raytown, from left, Josephine Patterson and Little Miss AKA Junior Lauryn Griffin, 9, of Raymore, packed bags of food during the during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City.
Little Miss AKA Harleigh Reed, 12, of Raytown, from left, Josephine Patterson and Little Miss AKA Junior Lauryn Griffin, 9, of Raymore, packed bags of food during the during We Are ONE, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day of Service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers sealed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides meals for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend.
Volunteers sealed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides meals for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection, sorted produce at Knabe’s Market on during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City.
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection, sorted produce at Knabe’s Market on during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection including Claire Miller, 16, and her mother, Becky Miller of Overland Park, and Amelia Bridges, 18, of Overland Park, sorted bundles of kale at Knabe’s Market during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City.
Volunteers from Church of the Resurrection including Claire Miller, 16, and her mother, Becky Miller of Overland Park, and Amelia Bridges, 18, of Overland Park, sorted bundles of kale at Knabe’s Market during a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers sealed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides meals for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend.
Volunteers sealed BackSnacks at Harvesters on the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. The BackSnacks program provides meals for elementary and some middles school students to take home over the weekend. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Volunteers turned out to write thank you cards to veterans and others during a Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Cleaver Family YMCA, 7000 Troost Ave., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Marianne Kunkel of North Kansas City took a photo of her daughter, Zora Nall, 4, right, during the event.
Volunteers turned out to write thank you cards to veterans and others during a Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Cleaver Family YMCA, 7000 Troost Ave., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Kansas City. Marianne Kunkel of North Kansas City took a photo of her daughter, Zora Nall, 4, right, during the event. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
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