Letter: 2021 MLK Day events united communities

Dear Editors:

The excellent article written by Ms. Leonna Heuring on Jan. 12 of this year highlighted celebrations honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the spirit of love and support for our fellow man, as Dr. King so often championed, it is important to point out the unity shown by so many in this area to make this event happen.

“A Call to Action, What Are You Doing for Others? was the 2021 theme for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission. In celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) Charleston Outreach Center partnered with area organizations and churches to prepare and distribute more than 1,000 hot meals on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.  

This was a great way to honor the legacy of Dr. King and his unselfish acts of love for others as well as decrease food insecurities within limited-resource communities in Opportunity Zones in Southeast Missouri.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, meals were delivered and picked up via drive-thru. Volunteers and participants received personal protective equipment (PPEs) in collaboration with Southeast Missouri Food Bank. 

For more information about ongoing and upcoming events, please contact Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Charleston Outreach office at: (573) 688-2420 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension has two additional satellite offices located in the Bootheel locations include LUCE Sikeston Office: (573) 471-3059 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and LUCE Caruthersville Office: (573) 333-5567 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This event was sponsored/supported by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri, Missouri Department of Mental Health-Division of Behavioral Health, The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Minority Health, Heartland Coca Cola, SEMO Food Bank, Williams Funeral Home, Charleston Housing Authority Charleston NAACP No. 4083, MLK Day Planning Committee for Charleston, Missouri, The Taylor Center-Howardville Missouri, House of Prayer Parma C.O.G.I.C.-Parma MO, Faith Temple Complex C.OG.I.C.- Hayti, Missouri, Virgie’s and Leonard’s Place-Kennett, MO, Macedonia M.B. Church-Malden, Missouri, True Faith Ministries-Cape Girardeau, Missouri and DRPAM J Transport LLC. Participating volunteers included State Sen. Jason Bean, State Rep. Jamie Burger, Sen. Roy Blunt’s Southeast Office and Sen. Josh Hawley’s Southeast Office.

Sincerely,

Sherry Maxwell, who serves on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission and works as the program assistant III for Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Charleston, Missouri