Tag Archive | GVSU MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity

OKT hosts GVSU student group for day of service and learning at Baxter Community Center

Jan26

On Saturday Jan. 21, Our Kitchen Table hosted a group of 17 Grand Valley State University (GVSU) students for a Food Justice class and service opportunity at Baxter Community Center. GVSU’s MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity has the goal of educating students about the Civil Rights movement and inspiring them to serve their communities in the spirit of social change. In addition, students have opportunity to experience solidarity through service projects.

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During a two-hour Food Justice class, students learned what food justice is, the history of the industrial food system and actions they can take to play a part in the bigger food justice movement.

After a tour of Baxter’s food and clothing pantry, kitchens, medical and dental clinics, greenhouse and childcare center, the students divided into small groups to take on various tasks around Baxter Community Center. They picked up trash on the property, cleaned out the greenhouse, organized the food pantry and and tidied up the kitchen.

OKT was happy Baxter came on board to offer a service portion as part of the day’s activities. Hopefully, some or all of these students will go on to be champions of food justice where they live and work.

The MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity is one event in a week-long commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity to include OKT Food Justice class

Dec29
cullors

Patrisse Cullors, a founder of Black Lives Matter, will speak at GVSU on Jan. 20.

Grand Valley State University’s Community Service Learning Center is putting a broader spin on this year’s service day commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s work for civil rights. For one, it has an updated name, MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity. Traditionally, the event has had the goal of educating students about the Civil Rights movement and inspiring them to serve their communities in the spirit of social change. In addition, students will have opportunity to experience solidarity through some of the service projects being offered.

 

Our Kitchen Table is offering one of those opportunities. One group of Grand Valley students involved in the day’s activities will travel to OKT’s offices at Garfield Park where they will engage in a three-hour Food Justice class. OKT’s goal is to raise awareness of the Food Justice movement and enlist students to play an active role in it.

The MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity is one event in a week-long commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Patrisse Cullors the Los Angeles-based social activist who, with two other people, started BlackLivesMatter in 2013 will give a presentation on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus, which will be simulcast to an audience in the Eberhard Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Touré, well-known author and social commentator, will present the keynote speech on Monday Jan. 18 in the Fieldhouse on the Allendale Campus. Click here for a full schedule of events.