MLK Days of Service
in collaboration with
January 16 – 19, 2026
Join thousands of volunteers around the country as we honor the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by rolling up our sleeves & serving our community alongside family, friends, & neighbors. Check out opportunities below. Volunteer Odyssey, the United Way of the Mid-South, and Leadership Memphis are thrilled to partner in making this an impactful weekend for our city.
There are dozens of opportunities to volunteer & give back during the long weekend. Then, on Monday, January 19, 2026, the National Civil Rights Museum invites you to join them for King Day, a daylong celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday. With free museum admission, extended hours from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and vibrant programming throughout the day, they’ll honor Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community by bringing thousands together in reflection, unity, and action.
Whether you join us in serving the community in-person or virtually through the NCRM live-streamed program, King Day 2026 is a moment to remember the leader, recommit to the mission, and build the community inspired by justice for all. Use this as the start to a 2026 with more community & caring.
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Multiple Shifts Available Daily
3 meals are provided everyday at their main location & volunteers are needed to prep & serve. Additionally, during the winter season, they offer shelter every night to those who need it at First Presbyterian Church Downtown. Volunteers are needed to share their hospitality.
Monday, January 19 | 10:00am to 12:00pm
Share the Warmth, United Way Totes of Hope Initiative. Help us turn kindness into comfort! We’re inviting volunteers to collect warm essentials—coats, hats, gloves, socks, and more—to support our local warming centers. Drop-Off at First Baptist Church.
Saturday, January 17 | 10:00am to 12:00pm
T.O. Fuller State Park, the first state park open for African Americans east of the Mississippi River in 1938. Our MLK Day of Service conservation and stewardship efforts will include: Hiking trial restoration, Playground surface renewal, Invasive species removal.
Saturday, January 17 | 9:30am to 11:30am
PEANUT BUTTER & JAM music program designed for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Volunteers will help greet, scan tickets, usher, and direct guests.
Monday, January 19 | 8:00am to 6:00pm
Passionate volunteers are needed to help coordinate & participate in #KingDay2026. This year’s celebration will also mark the 35th anniversary of the museum opening.
Friday, January 16 | 8:15am to 1:45pm
JA in a Day is an experience that allows students to receive all of JA’s traditional elementary program lessons in one day and earn their Junior Achievement Certificate.
Saturday, January 17 | 8:30am to 10:30am
Distribute diapers and supplies to our community and help with traffic. Please dress comfortably and for the weather, wear shoes you can move in. There’s a lot of walking!
Saturday, January 17 | 1:30pm to 5:30pm
Event setup and clean-up at a screening of Encanto: Sing-Along at the Pink Palace Giant Screen Theater. Once the film begins, you will have the opportunity to watch.
Friday, January 16 | 6:15pm to 8:45pm
Every month he Germantown Parks and Recreation team hosts a night of fun and dancing for special needs pass out pizza and clean up at their monthly participants!
Ongoing | Open Availability
Be a Litter Getter year-long campaign along favorite trails. By volunteering, you’ll contribute to keeping one of Memphis’ most cherished green spaces clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Monday, January 19 | 10:00am to 1:00pm
Clean up the Youth Villages Clothing Donation Closet to help their staff better locate clothing items for our youth.
Monday, January 19 | multiple shifts from 8:00am to 6:00pm
Volunteers gather at the National Civil Rights Museum & will help collect food that is being dropped off or donated by the community.
Saturday, January 17 | 10:00am to 12:30pm
Saturday, January 17 | 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Monday, January 19 | 9:00am to 11:30am
Join neighborhood partners around the city! Volunteers will plant native trees, clean-up intersections, and help create more inviting spaces in our city. Wear weather- appropriate clothing and get ready to dig in!
Saturday, January 17 | 9:30am to 12:30pm
Lichterman Nature Center Clean-Up/ Fix-Up: help with trail maintenance, cleaning up the Children’s Discovery Forest, assist in the greenhouse and plant propagation center, help maintain learning outdoor spaces in the Backyard Wildlife Center, and more.
Saturday, January 17 | 10:00am to 2:00pm
Shelter-in-a-day in-person training at Halls, TN! Shelter heroes are part of a roster of American Red Cross volunteers in your community who are trained and prepared to help their neighbors when a major catastrophe strikes.
Monday, January 19 | 9:00am to 12:00pm
Join the outdoor cleanup and beautification of two community-based organizations: Ridgemont Manor for seniors and Great Day Farm.
Saturday, January 17 | 9:30am to 12:30pm
Make the Science of Beer event at the Pink Palace Museum a success. Greet vendors & assist vendors, as well as general setup and guest support.
Saturday, January 17 | 11:00am to 2:30pm
Event support will help with setup and greeting guests for the Justice in Action: Restoring Hope and Healing Through Collective Advocacy event, celebrating & uplifting the neighborhoods of Bunker Hill, Alcy-Ball Rd and Gaslight Square.
