Photo by Laura Macenka / Philabundance

Photo by Adam Schultz / Biden for President

President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden rolled up their sleeves yesterday to pack boxes of food at Philabundance headquarters paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and to the spirit of volunteerism and public service Dr. King represented.

For Feeding America CEO and fellow volunteer Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, for those unheralded volunteers working with us, and for the Philabundance staff, it was an extraordinary moment in time we won’t soon forget. We were so honored to have the Bidens with us to see the work we do, what we’ve accomplished and the hard, uphill road ahead in the challenging years to come.

President-elect Biden and everyone there honoring Dr. King’s legacy, understood that Monday was not a day just to pause and reflect; it was a day to act. It was day at Philabundance and all throughout the city when ordinary Philadelphians took part in public service projects across the region. But taking a step back and reflecting on Biden’s visit made me remember what it means to make an ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of others in their communities, their cities and their country.

It was fitting that for our King Day of Service celebration, we were joined by the future leader of the free world and a veteran; an agency partner who experienced homelessness and a retired teacher. The morning reminded me of a favorite Dr. King quote:

We have much to do. This COVID crisis has just increased a need that was already there and brought so many new people to need food pantries, cupboards, and emergency kitchens. Recovery for our communities from this pandemic will be long and we will need continued and expanded support from government and others to keep people fed.

But yesterday was special. Along with the next President of the United States, we paused to pay tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. King, and we reflect on the lessons he taught us: Equality and justice for all.

We wanted to share some of the media coverage with you. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts by emailing ContactUs@philabundance.org.

• Biden volunteered in Philly to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day – PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
• Biden Will Kick Off Inaugural Events at a Ceremony Honoring Victims of Covid-19
• TWEET FROM CNN ANCHOR JAKE TAPPER

With gratitude,