5 Ways to Serve Memphis All Month Long for MLK Day
5 Ways to Serve Memphis
Each January, communities across the country honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not just with words, but with action. In Memphis, a city central to the Civil Rights Movement, MLK Day carries special weight.
Each January, communities across the country honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not just with words, but with action. In Memphis, a city central to the Civil Rights Movement, MLK Day carries special weight.
It’s a reminder that service, unity, and leadership are not abstract ideas, but daily practices that strengthen our neighborhoods and our city as a whole. 🏙️ Dr. King believed deeply in the power of collective action and the responsibility we share to care for one another. That spirit of showing up is strongest when we do it together. For MLK Days, Volunteer Odyssey is working alongside United Way of the Mid-South and Volunteer Memphis, to align efforts. This weekend brings that belief to life, inviting Memphians of all ages and backgrounds to roll up their sleeves together.
Here are just a few ways you can honor Dr. King’s legacy by serving Memphis all month long. If you’d like to see all our holiday highlights, check this page.
5 Volunteer Opportunities
5 Volunteer Opportunities
Empower the next generation with Girls Inc. of Memphis
Saturday, January 10 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Girls Inc. of Memphis requires new volunteers to attend an interactive training that introduces its mission, youth safety guidelines, and what it truly means to help girls grow up strong, smart, and bold. This opportunity is perfect for anyone interested in mentorship, education, or youth development and investing in long-term impact for girls across Memphis.
Restore history and nature with the Wolf River Conservancy
Saturday, January 17 | 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Wolf River Conservancy’s MLK Day of Service takes place at T.O. Fuller State Park, the first state park open to African Americans east of the Mississippi River and a powerful symbol of progress and resilience. Volunteers will work together on trail restoration, playground surface renewal, and invasive species removal – helping care for both the Wolf River watershed and a park deeply connected to the Civil Rights Movement. This is a meaningful way to reflect on the past while actively shaping a healthier future for Memphis.
Building Beloved Community: MLK Day
Monday, January 19 | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Put love into action this MLK Day by supporting two local organizations making a difference. Volunteers will assist with outdoor cleanup and beautification projects at Ridgemont Manor and Great Day Farm, helping prepare welcoming, safe spaces for future community programs.
Support dignity and nourishment with Friends for All
Multiple Days and Shifts Available in January
Friends for All offers ongoing opportunities throughout January for volunteers to serve as Food Pantry Friends. This role ensures neighbors can access food with dignity and care. Volunteers help organize pantry shelves, pack donations, unload deliveries, and support other needs as they arise. If you’re looking for a recurring way to give back during MLK Month, this is a powerful option that meets a consistent, critical need in Memphis.
Offer hospitality with Room in the Inn-Memphis
Daily in January | 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dr. King often spoke about the importance of love in action. Room in the Inn-Memphis lives out that principle every winter night by providing shelter and hospitality to individuals experiencing homelessness. Volunteers assist with nightly shelter registration and congregation pick-up, welcoming guests, managing lists, and offering a calm, compassionate presence during check-in. This hour-long commitment is a reminder that sometimes service is simply showing up, listening, and making someone feel seen.
Make MLK Day a movement
The MLK Days of Service are more than a single weekend, they’re an invitation to build habits of service that last all year. When Memphians come together to serve, we honor Dr. King’s vision of a more just, equitable, and united community. 🤝
📅 To find these opportunities and more throughout January, visit Volunteer Odyssey’s full volunteer calendar and discover where your time and talents can make the biggest difference.
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