New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy joined Center for Food Action today and led hundreds of northern New Jersey residents in Weekend Snack Pack assembly in volunteer service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy. Northern NJ residents were joined by hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country as part of the 25th annual MLK Day of Service.

“Dr. King is mostly remembered for fighting against the evils of racism and hatred, but often overlooked is his advocacy against inequality and hunger.” said Governor Phil Murphy. “On the 25^th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service, there is no better place to honor Dr. King’s legacy than with the Center for Food Action. No child should go hungry in our state or our nation, and today I am proud to volunteer along with so many others to provide weekend snack packs for children at risk of hunger.”

“Today we answer Dr. King’s call to serve and are making a difference in the lives of area school children at risk of weekend hunger,” said Patricia Espy, the Executive Director of Center for Food Action. “The Weekend Snack Packs assembled today, and in the eight additional Impact Sites over the holiday weekend, will be distributed to area school children who are at risk for weekend hunger.”

Over the MLK holiday weekend, Center for Food Action coordinated ten Weekend Snack Packing events, anchored by public events, with including local officials, civic and service organizations, and professional athletes and area business leaders in Englewood, NJ, and Paramus, NJ this afternoon.

The MLK Day of Service encourages all Americans to improve communities through volunteer service. 2020 will mark the 25th celebration of the annual service event since Congress designated the MLK holiday the first-ever National Day of Service and charged Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) with leading this effort.

With an emphasis on creating an opportunity for all, Americans of all ages and backgrounds in all 50 states will re-commit themselves as citizens by volunteering in service to one another. Projects include delivering meals, refurbishing schools, and community centers, collecting food and clothing, and building homes. Volunteers will also recruit mentors, provide services for veterans and military families, and help citizens improve their financial literacy skills.