In early 2023, Cencora tried something new for MLK Day. The company wanted to include its distribution center employees, people who are on their feet all day and rarely sit at a computer, so it worked with Visit.org to bring hybrid volunteer experiences on site to four of its distribution centers.
It grew from there. According to Visit.org’s case study, the program expanded to 40 distribution centers and participation went from 120 to 800 employees. Cencora’s community engagement manager said employees asked for copies of the photos so they could show their kids.
That was a custom program for a large company, separate from Impact Kits. The part that carries over to a team of 20 is simple: bring the activity to where people already work, and share the photos afterward.
About the day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday in January. In 2027 that’s Jan. 18. In 1994, Congress designated it a national day of service and asked the agency now called AmeriCorps to lead it. It’s the only federal holiday with that designation.
AmeriCorps encourages employers to support employees who want to spend the day serving, according to WorkingNation. For a company, that might mean a day off for volunteering, an activity at the office the week of the holiday, or both.
Ways a company team can take part
If the office is closed on the 18th, encourage people to sign up for a local project. AmeriCorps lists MLK Day projects near you on its MLK Day page. Ask them to share a photo afterward so the rest of the team sees what they did.
If you want to do something together, pick a day that week when the team is in and build kits at the office. Everything comes in one box, the team builds the kits at a table, and Visit.org delivers them to a nonprofit partner.
Either way, start with a few minutes about Dr. King. UServe Utah recommends including time to reflect on his teachings. A short reading from one of his speeches and one question for the room, like what “community” means to the team, is enough to connect the activity to the day.
And if some people can’t join, a matching week lets them take part from wherever they are.
Kits that fit the day
These focus on food and basic needs.
| Kit | Price per participant | What each person makes |
|---|---|---|
| Seasoning Essentials Kits | $50 | Two kits of labeled spices for families facing food insecurity, plus a written food memory tied to one of the spices |
| Essential Food Pack | $75 | Three food packs with granola bars, dried fruit snacks, crackers, a soup packet and instant oatmeal, plus a decorated note |
| Hygiene and Basic Needs Kit | $75 | Four kits of travel-size hygiene essentials |
| Cleaning Supplies Kit | $75 | Three kits of household and laundry cleaning supplies, with a note of support |
The Seasoning Essentials kit has a short writing exercise built in, which pairs well with a reflection at the start.
Timing
The tricky part of MLK Day is that the order dates land right before the winter holidays. Kits ship within three weeks of your order, and the dates below leave a few days for delivery, so plan to order in mid-December.
| If your activity is on | Order by |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Jan. 14 | Thursday, Dec. 17 |
| Monday, Jan. 18 | Monday, Dec. 21 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 20 | Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
In early January, send the calendar invite, confirm the room, and mail kits to anyone working remotely. All kits ship to one address, so send the box to the office. After the activity, ship the box back, and once you hear where the kits went, share it with the team.
Here’s a message you can adapt:
MLK Day is Jan. 18, and our office is closed that day. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, we’ll spend part of the afternoon packing food packs for neighbors facing food insecurity, starting with a short reading from Dr. King. Everything we need comes in one box. Please let me know by Dec. 15 if you’re in.
Cost
Kits cost $50 to $85 per participant, depending on the kit. U.S. shipping is free both ways, and sales tax may apply at checkout.
| Kit | 20 people | 30 people | 50 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasoning Essentials Kits ($50) | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Essential Food Pack ($75) | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,750 |
| Hygiene and Basic Needs Kit ($75) | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,750 |
The minimum is 10 people and there’s no maximum. Each kit page lists the nonprofit partners that receive that kit.
If you’re planning beyond January, Visit.org’s free 2027 Social Impact Calendar lists the year’s awareness days and observances.
See all the kits and order by Dec. 21 for Jan. 18.
