Members of the Lab community of all ages are invited to attend the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service Jan. 18 at Ida Noyes Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, organized by the Laboratory Schools, the University Community Service Center and University of Chicago Charter School Woodlawn, will include both on-site and off-site service opportunities.

Volunteers may sign up to participate until the event is full, although registration officially closed Jan. 10. Students not in high school require a parent or guardian in order to participate.

Participants have the option of traveling to off-site service opportunities in and around Hyde Park or staying on-site to package meals for vulnerable communities in countries across the globe such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.

“It’s important for high school students to attend because it gives them a glimpse of the difference that can be made,” said Chimare Eaglin, high school service learning coordinator. “MLK Day is always a great time for reflection on what you can do for others, but also looking at those that are in need.”

Meal packaging is a large part of the MLK Day of Service’s annual impact. The activity, hosted in partnership with Rise Against Hunger and the Kraft Heinz Foundation, will be set up in Judd C116. Last year, volunteers for this activity packaged 40,176 non-perishable meals. 

According to Dr. Eaglin, a gong rings out for every 10,000 meals packed as a way to motivate volunteers. 

“I think it gives high school kids a glimpse at how much difference can be made in a short amount of time,” Dr. Eaglin said.

The event will conclude with a luncheon and reflection conversation in the Ida Noyes Cloister Club at 12:30 p.m.