AUSTIN, Texas — Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, in honor of his teachings and legacy, dozens of volunteers in Austin gathered on Saturday morning to help those living on the streets.
The question all day at Seven Grand Whiskey Bar on 7th Street was, "What are you doing for others?"
The Human Rights Campaign [HRC] in Austin partnered with the nonprofit group Austin Black Pride to make hundreds of bags filled with everyday supplies, hoping to make people's lives a little less difficult.
"We normally come downtown to party and have a good time. However, there are people experiencing homelessness all over the place," Sheldon Darnell, co-founder of Austin Black Pride, said.
This downtown gathering was a different type, filled with dozens of people hustling to fill bags with toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, hygienic gear and snacks.
"We're bringing awareness to some of the issues folks face that are pushed under the rug just because we're a marginalized community," Darnell said.
They are honoring a man who preached about giving back. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of service, equality and equity.
"It literally takes one decision or action for us to end up in a place where we need someone to help us out," Darnell said.
"In that group of people there [living on the streets] are a lot people -- people that are LGBTQ, people of color, women," Steven Alcocer, an HRC board member, said. "There are so many groups suffering from this, and they need our help."
After filling more than 350 bags with supplies, the group made their way across downtown Austin to pass the bags out.
The blue bags where for men and the yellow for women. Both were designed to meet each gender's needs.
The group is hoping to show the impact Dr. King's words still have today.
As Dr. King said, "The time is always right to do what is right."`
"If you have the ability to do it, I think it's the right thing to do to help out." Darnell said.
If you want to help out, click here to volunteer with the group.