901 Now: Grizzlies players, staff, FedEx employees, and local students host MLK Day of Service

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - This week, Memphis Grizzlies players, staff, FedEx employees, and local students in the 901 honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service.

“We have much to learn, and much to do,” said Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins.

That included packing 500 backpacks and over 2,000 meals for students at Douglass Elementary School.

Plus, both FedEx employees and Grizz players spent a little extra time with the youth.

“When the students that you’re impacting are actually volunteering with you and you have the Grizzlies here too volunteering, just makes it a great big family of understanding community need and having community impact together,” Rose Flenorl with FedEx said.

For Coach Jenkins, he said there’s no better way to honor Dr. King than serving the community that supports the players year after year.

“The amount of effort that’s going into the future of the community,” Jenkins said. “And how many people are partnering together to carry on the legacy, MLK’s legacy and so many others that are fighting for justice but trying to bring back a vibrance into the Memphis community.”

The day was not only catered to service, but a day to educate the community on the rich history in Memphis.

“It’s not just about the service, it’s understanding why we honor King, understanding his connection to Memphis, Tennessee,” Flenorl said. “In addition to that, after they understand their story, hear the historical perspective, they come here and honor him through service.”

Monday, the Grizzlies will host their 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game against the Golden State Warriors.

Tipoff is at 5 p.m. at FedExForum.

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