Press Releases: Southern California
January 14, 2009
Kaiser Permanente Honors Martin Luther King Jr. with Annual Day of Volunteerism
SAN DIEGO – In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the values he espoused, and his contributions in advancing civil and human rights, Kaiser Permanente in 2006 established an annual Day of Volunteerism on the King Holiday. This Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, Kaiser Permanente employees will spend the day at the San Diego Food Bank, cleaning, sorting, bagging, and boxing food items for distribution to those in need.
"Given the current state of our economy, the demand at our local food banks is increasing and the need for volunteers at local nonprofits, shelters, schools, hospitals, and senior centers throughout our community has never been greater," said Dr. Arthur M. Flippin, area medical director for Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. "We hope that other San Diego organizations will join us in using the MLK holiday as an opportunity to volunteer in the community."
WHAT: In honor of MLK Day, more than 150 Kaiser Permanente physicians and staff will volunteer at the San Diego Food Bank – sorting and packaging food for those in need.
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: San Diego Food Bank
9850 Distribution Ave.
San Diego, CA 92121
Live Broadcast and Photo Opportunity: More than 150 volunteers will be working throughout the day at the San Diego Food Bank – sorting and packaging hundreds of pounds of food items for distribution by the Food Bank. Kaiser Permanente leadership, volunteers and officials from the San Diego Food Bank will be available for interviews and photographs.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
–Martin Luther King, Jr.
About Kaiser Permanente
Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated nonprofit health plan. Kaiser Permanente began serving San Diego in 1967, and currently provides care for nearly 500,000 members throughout the county. Over 6,500 staff and more than 830 physicians care for our members at 21 medical facilities and at Kaiser Permanente's San Diego Medical Center. The Medical Center has 392 licensed beds and a 56-bed Emergency Department. More information about Kaiser Permanente can be found at kaiserpermanente.org.
