Author: Sophia Orsinelli

Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15 is a unique federal holiday that calls on all Americans to serve one another and celebrate the legacy of King. In this spirit, we are called to serve one another through actions that will create a more equitable society for everyone in our communities. This day is also an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the dignity and value of all our neighbors and utilize this reflection to inspire our action steps.

As a child, my parents instilled in me the importance of volunteering to give back to our community. As I have grown up and continued my commitment to service, my understanding of service has evolved. I have begun to recognize the reciprocal nature of service. Rather than being a one-way transaction, with genuine intentionality, service becomes a relationship builder.

At Second Harvest, I serve as a nutrition educator in The Kitchen. Facilitating community cooking and nutrition classes means I get to work closely with food bank recipients and volunteers. While I am technically completing a service year, every day at Second Harvest has felt like a new opportunity to make a new connection. As I get to know class attendees and volunteers, the line between us is blurred, and the reciprocal nature of our relationship cements itself. I may share a cooking tip with a participant, and they’ll share a childhood anecdote that gives me inspiration on how to prepare a dish I never would have considered before. Being new to the Spokane community, students in The Kitchen’s community classes have been instrumental in welcoming me to the city. They’ve shared restaurant and park recommendations, bike safety tips, holiday well-wishes, and recipes they thought I would enjoy. Every week I am filled with gratitude for their generosity and thoughtfulness, as well as their appreciation for what Second Harvest offers to our community. If there’s anything that my year of service has taught me so far, it’s that we all have infinite value to share, regardless of our circumstances.

King dedicated his life to the advancement of civil rights and achieving social justice for all. In celebration of his life, MLK Day is an opportunity to reflect on King’s legacy and our own commitments to social justice. There are many ways that each of us could commemorate this day. Consider taking time to read King’s famous speeches or learn more about the nonviolent civil disobedience he led. Reflect on the needs of your community and commit to helping. Take action by volunteering, donating to a local food bank, or cooking a meal for a loved one. While the ways in which we commemorate MLK Day may look different, we can be sure that intentionally serving one another will always strengthen our communities and work toward a just society for all.