Sign up for Day of Service Monday, Jan. 19

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service, justice, and collective responsibility, Duke Community Affairs is partnering with Duke Athletics and The Backpack Project to host a campus-wide MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19.

The morning will bring together student-athletes, staff and community partners for a meaningful opportunity to reflect, serve, and take action in support of local communities. The day begins with the MLK Unity Rally, hosted by Duke Athletics from 10:00–11:00 a.m. at Cameron Indoor Gymnasium. The rally will serve as a space for reflection and community gathering, centering Dr. King’s message of unity, service, and civic engagement.

How to Join

Immediately following the rally, participants will move to Wilson Gymnasium for a Backpack Packing Service Event from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Volunteers will work together to pack hundreds of backpacks with winter essentials and school supplies for students served by The Backpack Project. In addition to packing stations, attendees can also participate in card-writing activities offering messages of encouragement and care and to accompany the donated items. Volunteers are also welcomed to visit by the letter writing station for a live mural painting by prominent contemporary African-American modern artist and educator, Eugene Vango. To volunteer for the backpack packing, students should sign up at this form, and student-athletes should sign up at this form.

Following Sunday's events, the Duke and community will gather at the Duke School for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 19, 2026, to package 175,000+ meals to be distributed in Durham, Orange, Wake and Johnston Counties through the Interfaith Food Shuttle. Sign up for this opportunity on the Duke Partnership Platform.