MLK Day Service Projects: How To Help Near Westborough

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a nationwide day of service honoring the legacy of the late civil rights leader. This year, it will be held on Monday, Jan. 19. Organized service projects have taken the place of the traditional work or school holidays in recent years.

King is the only non-president to have a national holiday named in his honor. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a day of service.

EPIC's MLK Day of Service (Auburn)

EPIC, a nonprofit preparing young people with disabilities to be community leaders, is hosting an event at the Pakachoag Center, 203 Pakachoag St., in Auburn, from 9 am to 12 p.m. on Monday.

The 2026 service projects include packing hygiene kits for local shelters, writing thank you cards to teachers, making fidgets for local students, decorating bags for Meals on Wheels, and assembling school supply kits for local public schools.

You can register for the Worcester event here.

2026 Annual Metrowest MLK Day of Service (Framingham)

Temple Beth Am in Framingham, in partnership with JLoft, is hosting the day of service on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Throughout the day, volunteers will make lasagnas, bake banana bread, build desks and bookshelves, assemble soup jars, and more to support local families and organizations.

You can register for the event at Temple Beth Am, 30 Pleasant St. in Framingham, here.

Many Helping Hands MLK Day of Service (Cambridge)

The 16th annual Cambridge MLK Day of Service and Learning will be held on Monday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The day’s events will begin with a Welcome Gathering at Central Square Church, followed by volunteers being directed to their service locations.

You can register for the event at 5 Magazine St. here.

Even if there aren’t any organized service projects planned nearby, there are several other ways to help those in need in or near Westborough. Here are 10 ways to serve:

1. Host a National Day of Service project in your community.

2. Volunteer for a hunger project to continue King’s work to combat poverty and hunger, or sign up to host a virtual event.

3. Volunteer at local homeless shelters or soup kitchens.

4. Check off items from your kids’ teachers’ wish lists on Amazon or some other site.

5. Clean up a local park or around your neighborhood, either through an organized litter removal effort or on your own.

6. Go through your pantry, closets, basement, and garage, and bag up non-perishables and gently used items to donate.

7. Make a commitment to join one of these civil rights organizations.

8. Visit an assisted living facility or local nursing home. Spend time with the residents through conversation and joining them in activities.

9. Arrange with the hospital in advance to read to children at a local hospital or shelter, and then leave the books behind.

10. Send thank-you notes to service and essential workers, including police and emergency responders, health care providers, teachers, snow plow drivers, mail carriers, grocery clerks, or anyone else who performs duties that increase community well-being.

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