Jan. 17, 2026 was a beautiful day to serve!

While the morning of United Way of Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service was colder than expected, over 400 volunteers still showed up with hearts full of grace and ready to serve their community.

Volunteers partnered with more than 23 local organizations to complete over 20 service projects across Northeast Florida. Projects included:

• Building shelving for the Nassau Council on Aging food pantry to increase storage capacity and support expanded food access
• Improving the exterior of a women’s transitional home to create a cleaner, more welcoming environment for residents
• Hosting seven food distributions across three counties, serving approximately 1,500 families (more than 6,000 people) with groceries and essentials
• Completing street and neighborhood cleanups in three Jacksonville communities to enhance business corridors and shared public spaces
• Breaking ground on a new neighborhood resource center, launching facility improvements to expand services for local residents
• Starting or expanding three community gardens to improve access to fresh food and strengthen neighborhood gathering spaces
• Installing bike racks and other public infrastructure upgrades, supporting more walkable, accessible neighborhoods
• Assembling more than 100 personal care kits for Full Service Schools students, providing essential hygiene items and encouragement

This incredible day of service demonstrated the power of working together to build a community of hope and opportunity for all. Thank you for helping us make MLK Day of Service a possibility.

While MLK Day of Service has passed, the work doesn’t stop there. We encourage everyone to continue turning Dr. King’s inspiration into action by making a difference in our community every day through opportunities on the Volunteer Hub.