Bidens load food boxes in Philadelphia on MLK Day

President-elect Joe Biden and incoming first lady Jill Biden volunteered at a hunger relief organization in Philadelphia on Monday to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Bidens helped pack food boxes at Philabundance, the largest hunger relief organization in Philadelphia, as part of a national day of service two days before Biden will be sworn in as the next president.

Biden, clad in a black face mask and Philabundance hat, packed cans into food boxes on a conveyor belt at the volunteer site, which was outdoors. Jill Biden added rice to the packages. The two spent about 40 minutes at the volunteer site. More than 150 food boxes were packaged at the event, according to a transition aide.

Later Monday, Vice President-elect Kamala and her husband and incoming second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, visited Martha’s Table in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., where they packed food into bags that will be distributed. 

“Today in America, one in six families is describing their household as being hungry,” Harris told reporters at the event. “Today in America, one in five is describing an inability to pay rent, one in three is describing an inability to pay their bills. So, we are here today as part of what we collectively all of us who are volunteering see as our responsibility as part of Dr. King’s legacy. And we’re here to renew the commitment that we have to service, and to serve others especially those in need.”

President Trump and Vice President Pence are not scheduled to make any public appearances on Monday. The White House issued a proclamation marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day late last week.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee organizing Biden’s inaugural activities encouraged Americans to participate in a national day of service on Monday. The committee organized more than 2,500 events across every U.S. state and territory.

The committee has also organized an hourlong Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration featuring speakers and entertainers that will stream online Monday evening. The program will feature Martin Luther King Jr.’s children the Rev. Dr. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III; actress Rosario Dawson; cellist Yo-Yo Ma; and the Rev. Al Sharpton, among others.

Biden and Harris will be inaugurated at a pared-down ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

Updated at 3:49 p.m.