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Celebrating MLK Day: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way

2026 Events

Vernon Jordan Documentary Screening (in-person)

January 20th 12:00-1:15pm in CH104
Free and open to all. No registration required.
Attendees will watch a documentary about the late Vernon Jordan and his impact as a Civil Rights leader. Participants are encouraged to bring a meal as this will occur over the traditional lunch hour.

Vernon Jordan Documentary Screening (virtual)

January 22nd 12:00-1:15pm via Zoom.
Sign up required to participate virtually. Sign up for the event at qrco.de/vernonjordan.

Clothing and Food Drive for the Mustang Market

Items can be brought to the ODI Office (SC 231) from January 12-23. Refer the Mustang Market’s website for donation ideas: www.smsu.edu/campuslife/mustangmarket

“I Have a Dream” Reflection Space  in SC 235

Available January 12-23 Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech, as well as other notable speeches given in the 1960s related to the Civil Rights Movement will be available for listening and reflection. Short questions and prompts will be around the space to encourage participants to leave their reflections for others to see. Visitors are welcome to stop in and reflect as frequently as they like. Faculty are encouraged to bring their classes to the space.

Schedule of Service Opportunities

January & February 2026 Availability

Contact Information

Nicole Knobloch
Nikki.Knobloch@unitedcapmn.org
507-537-1416 ext. 1328
Food Rescue
Date: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Shopping with Families/Stocking
Date: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 12:00 noon - 4:30 p.m.
Food Shelf: Truck Deliveries
Date: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (times may vary)

Contact Information

Nicole Knobloch
Nikki.Knobloch@unitedcapmn.org
507-537-1416 ext. 1328
Food Rescue
Date: Thursdays
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Truck Deliveries
Date: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
Time: 11:00 a.m. (times may vary)

Contact Information

Nicole Knobloch
Nikki.Knobloch@unitedcapmn.org
507-537-1416 ext. 1328
Food Rescue
Date: Mondays
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Contact Information

Volunteers help schedule appointments
Volunteer tax preparers must have a CPA
Date: Weekday evenings AND
Saturday mornings
Beginning February 1
Time: Weekday evenings
Beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday mornings
Beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Food Rescue Contact Information

Joyce Tofte
Joyce.Tofte@smsu.edu
507-537-7252
Food Rescue
Truck Deliveries
Food Donation – Refer to the Wish List
Most weekdays. Will work with volunteer availability.

Financial Donation Contact Information

Joyce Tofte
Joyce.Tofte@smsu.edu
507-537-7252
OR
SMSU Foundation Staff
Foundation@smsu.edu
507-537-7265
Financial Donation
Make a financial gift by visiting the
SMSU Foundation Website and selecting
“Mustang Market (Food Pantry)”

Contact Information

Jennifer Andries
Director@lyoncomuseum.org
507-537-6580
Storage Room Organization/Moving Items
Date (any): Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

MLK Humanitarian Award

The MLK Humanitarian Award recognizes and honors those individuals from the SMSU campus, and community at large whose active, meaningful, and uplifting advocacy aligns with Dr. King’s work to dismantle racial, economic, and social injustice. Dr. King’s legacy is what inspires this award which seeks to emphasize one of his famous phrases: “The time is always right to do what is right.” This quote is etched on the plaque awarded to recipients selected by the directors of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This award has been presented during SMSU’s annual MLK Day of Service Celebration.

Award Recipients Include:

  • Thomas Williams, 2025
  • Cassie Williams, 2025
  • Mr. Montell Allen, 2023
  • Dr. Richard Herder, 2023
  • Mr. Jefferson Lee IV, 2022
  • Dr. Jeffery Kolnick, 2021

thomas williams

Thomas Williams, 2025

Cassie Williams

Cassie Williams, 2025

Montell Allen

Mr. Montell Allen, 2023

Dr. Richard Herder

Dr. Richard Herder, 2023

jay lee

Mr. Jefferson Lee IV, 2022

dr. jeff kolnick photo

Dr. Jeffery Kolnick, 2021

Contact Dr. Erin Kline (Erin.Kline@smsu.edu) or Jeet Sausen (Jeet.Sausen@smsu.edu) with questions.