MLK Day of Service Food Drive and Distribution

The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham (HR) is organizing a city wide food drive running through January in partnership with Hope Distributed and The Rotary Club of Harrisonburg resulting in a day of free food distribution for anyone in the area to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy. Volunteers across Harrisonburg and Rockingham are joined by hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country as part of the 25th annual MLK Day of Service. 

In honor of Dr. King's work, The Arc of HR is making it a day on, not a day off! This year, dozens of chapters of The Arc and partner organizations across the nation will work together to address food insecurity and promote inclusive volunteering to bring together people with and without disabilities to serve their communities.

“People with disabilities are often perceived as the ones always in need of help, but in reality, they also have the desire and ability to help others and to play an active role in strengthening their own communities,” said Heather Denman, Executive Director at The Arc of HR. “In the true spirit of Dr. King, the Day of Service shines a light on what all people – including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities – can do to love, uplift, and support their neighbors.”

Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at Hope Distributed (1869 Boyers Rd. Rockingham, VA 22801) through January 2021 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9-5 PM. Please place all food in the blue barrels located on the front porch. For more information visit www.hrarc.org.  

Distribution of food boxes will take place on MLK Day, Monday 18th, 1 - 4 PM at the following locations for drive through pick up (no qualifications or ID needed to receive): Parking lot at The Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center, West Rockingham Food Pantry parking lot, and at Open Doors Homeless Shelter.

Public Zoom Kick Off will begin at 10 AM January 18th with the Honorable Anthony W. Bailey Rockingham/Harrisonburg Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court as the keynote speaker.

The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.