SACRAMENTO, Calif. — People across the country are honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, MLK Day falls on Mon., Jan. 15. It is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. People are encouraged to volunteer to improve their communities.
Dozens of people tended to the Blacker the Berry and Greens Garden in Oak Park Monday. It was part of the second annual Reclaim MLK Day of Service. Black Lives Matter Sacramento hosted the event, while the Sacramento Valley section of the National Council of Negro Women sponsored it.
"We grow food for Black folks that live in Sacramento, just to give it to them," said Tanya Faison, founder of BLM Sacramento. "We've got collard greens, mustard greens, carrots, onions and more. Vegetables are expensive, so, if we're able to give them what they need to eat, then they can spend their money on other needs."
The purpose of the garden is to end hunger and food insecurity in Black communities. According to Feeding America, Black communities are more likely to face hunger. In 2022, nearly 23% of Black people in the United States experienced food insecurity. That's about 1 in 5 Black people going without a meal. This is almost two-and-a-half times the rate of white people.
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The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is on a mission to lead, empower and advocate for women of African descent, their families and communities. That includes promoting good health and addressing health equity in Black communities.
"We are very focused on social justice," said Jacqueline Dyson, president of the Sacramento Valley section of NCNW. "We're focused on education, mental health, and health overall. Good Health Wins is one of our initiatives and we promote immunizations, like for COVID-19, RSV, flu and all of the other diseases. We're at the garden as part of our health initiatives. Black Lives Matter Sacramento not only cultivates the garden, but they take the food to the farmers market, where African Americans can get their hands on greens and they give their product away."
During MLK Day, people are encouraged to honor Dr. King's legacy "by working toward a more just and equitable society, where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their race, ability, religion, or background." But, BLM Sacramento explained the importance of honoring MLK, not just on a Day of Service, but year-round.
"The spirit of giving, that was him," Faison said. "There are different people throughout history that had different purposes. And, he served a purpose of giving. That's why I lean on Dr. Martin L. King, when it comes to the spirit of giving and the spirit of being there for our communities."
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