NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Legacy of MLK continues to be the foundation for many nonprofits around the world. For Newport News, there's an organization bringing in the holiday early to uplift their community during a hard time.
"As an entire community, it's been a really rough week, the last couple of days. But I know Newport News is a strong community and so to see everyone here gathered a day before the holiday, a day before the actual service, it means a lot to my heart," said Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones.
The organization Feeding 5000 gave away premade meals at their annual celebration in Newport News. After the recent shooting at Richneck Elementary, the program featured influential voices such as the Chief of Police force, the NAACP and other community leaders who took this opportunity to focus back on peace.
“Our community cares, we are a community of love and we are a community of peace. Because Dr. King said that either we are nonviolent or we are nonexistent, so we are here today to advocate for peace,” said Andrew Shannon, civil rights activist and founder of Feeding 5000.
They all shared uplifting words, encouraging those to keep striving towards Dr. King’s dream.
