For 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Many Helping Hands 365 had to radically re-think how to support the work of local organizations. Many nonprofits were already operating at limited capacity and could not accommodate.
We talked to leaders in our community about the needs they were seeing, and we talked to volunteers. The result was a hybrid event—a week of learning and serving and a deeper commitment to racial justice.
In the end, more than 1,000 volunteers lent their helping hands during the Cambridge MLK Day of Service 2021 helped 49 local service organizations.
In addition more than 325 people attended seven different Racial Justice conversations on Zoom to learn more about the impact of racism in our community and what individuals can do to fight it.
You collected and donated 804 bags of donated groceries along with $1,625 of grocery gift cards. These were given to 11 area food pantries and food programs.
We delivered hundreds of handmade fleece blankets made on MLK Day to 8 organizations sheltering and helping homeless and at risk children and teens.
Together we collected hundreds of donated diapers to give to 5 organizations. These organizations distribute diapers as well as food to members of the community in need.
At least 3,376 Valentine Cards were given through 23 organizations helping elders, veterans, the ill and homeless and hand delivered to hundreds of elders living alone. Thousands more went from you to individuals in gratitude for their work in the community.
Dedicated home bakers made dozens of bags of homemade cookies for meal programs and food pantries.
Hundreds of toiletry kits donated by the Intercontinental Hotel and The Porter Square Hotel were delivered to 14 local organizations serving homeless teens and adults.
Even with only a week’s notice, more than __ people up for one of nine racial justice workshops or presentations online with an average attendance of 72+ per program. We were excited to see so much engagement for this new component of Cambridge MLK Day festivities. If you’re interested in sending feedback or offering suggestions, click here.
The handmade fleece scarves you created were given to 18 local organizations helping homeless children, teens and adults.
This year we worked with More than Words—an amazing local organization run by and to benefit at-risk youth) to collect, organize and deliver books.
Volunteers collected and donated hundreds of bags of gently used winter clothing and delivered them to More than Words—who shared them with other local organizations assisting people in need.