ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – While many opted to spend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the comfort of their homes, numerous volunteers across Central Florida commemorated the holiday with acts of service, specifically by assembling meals to combat hunger.

On Monday, approximately 5,000 volunteers converged at the Orange County Convention Center for the annual “Pack a Million Meals” event. Their collective mission was to prepare a substantial quantity of food to support families in need within the community.

This event, which pays tribute to Dr. King’s enduring legacy, set the ambitious target of packing one million meals in just one day. According to organizers, reaching this goal was highly attainable with the dedication of those involved.

Among the dedicated volunteers was Wreshad Pierre, a high school student affiliated with the MLK Humanitarian Group. He emphasized the importance of translating Dr. King’s message into tangible deeds.

“It’s truly an honor to be surrounded by individuals committed to embodying MLK’s message — the legacy and purpose he left us,” Pierre stated.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds participated, including young children eager to lend a hand. For Octavia Murry, this event marked her third consecutive year of volunteering, showcasing her ongoing commitment to the cause.

“It’s rewarding,” Murry said. “You know that you’re impacting the hunger issue we have here.”

For others, the day carried a deeper personal meaning. Volunteer Sydney Miller, a veterinary student from outside Philadelphia, said MLK Day was an opportunity to give back while honoring Dr. King’s legacy.

“Anytime I can give back, especially for Martin Luther King, who was such a great Black role model, I’m going to involve myself,” Miller said.

Volunteers worked assembly-line style, pouring lentils and rice into bins before funneling the ingredients into individual bags. Each bag was weighed for consistency, heat-sealed to stay fresh, labeled, and packed into boxes. The boxes were then stacked onto pallets and wrapped for shipping.

All the meals prepared were red lentil jambalaya — chosen because it is heart-healthy and packed with protein and nutrients, organizers said.

Brandon Perreira with U.S. Hunger said the event was moving quickly from the start.

“So far from the first check at 300,000, we’re on track to hit that goal today,” Perrerira said.

Just an hour later, organizers announced another milestone — 700,000 meals packed.

Organizers say the meals will help support hungry families across Orange County and the nation in the weeks and months ahead.