Thousands Paid Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Participating in HandsOn Network's America's Sunday Supper Service Dialogue

An estimated 2,400 people participated in America's Sunday Supper, as well as local Suppers held in 33 states across the nation

ATLANTA, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Day, thousands of Americans paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by not only volunteering their time, but engaging in service related dialogue.  HandsOn Network, the volunteer arm of Points of Light Institute and the largest volunteer organization in the nation, engaged communities across the country to discuss the impact Dr. King held on the service industry.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110118/DC31540)

On Sunday, January 16, HandsOn Network joined with national civic leaders to host the first America's Sunday Supper in Washington, DC.  Sponsored by Kraft Foods, the supper featured panelists Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post; Legendary Olympian and UN Ambassador Carl Lewis; Barton Seaver, Esquire Chef of the Year 2009 and National Geographic Fellow; NBA Legend and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo; S. Leo Chiang, Producer/Director of "A Village Called Versailles"; Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute; and Robert Egger, Founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen. The Supper was moderated by Fox News National Political Correspondent and author Juan Williams.  

"America's Sunday Supper was an opportunity to engage our nation in a constructive dialogue about Dr. King's legacy of service and bring Americans back to the table," said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute and Co-Founder of HandsOn Network. "Our hope is this conversation sparked similar discussions at tables across the country and will continue as Americans host their own local Sunday Suppers, inspiring and mobilizing a new generation of change agents."

The event was broadcast through www.HandsOnNetwork.org to millions of homes across the world.  Thousands of viewers watched America's Sunday Supper with more than 3,000 streams and 1,200 unique viewers in ten countries.  For those unable to participate, America's Sunday Supper has been archived and is available for replay at http://www.handsonnetwork.org/america-sunday-supper-live-event.

Participants across the nation joined America's Sunday Supper through live chats and were able to post pictures and videos and share their service experiences about how the service movement has impacted them and their communities.  Panel discussions included the importance of Dr. King's legacy, the call to service, America's next generation of service leaders, and activities happening throughout the country. 

Concurrent to America's Sunday Supper in Washington D.C., community and civic leaders participated in an estimated 150 local Sunday Suppers across 33 states.  An estimated 1,200 individuals participated in suppers in their homes, local restaurants and other sites, where they came together to discuss important issues in their local communities. To find more information on how to host a Sunday Supper and initiate conversation, visit http://www.handsonnetwork.org/events/mlk2011/live.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service marks the beginning of a year of service and a drive to create new innovations to combat tough national challenges.  These events and dialogues are created through public private partnerships and are supported by Kraft Foods, NBA Cares, American Express and U.S. Bank.

There are multiple ways people can serve, celebrate and engage in the various projects across the U.S. To find out more information and how you can be a volunteer, please visit www.HandsOnNetwork.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @HandsOnNetwork.

About Points of Light Institute

Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. The Institute has a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. We are organized to innovate, incubate and activate new ideas that help people act upon their power to make a difference. Points of Light Institute operates three dynamic business units that share our mission: HandsOn Network, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator. For more information, visit PointsofLight.org.

About HandsOn Network

HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes 250 HandsOn Action Centers in 16 countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating meaningful change in their communities. Annually, the network delivers approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $626 million. For more information, please visit www.HandsOnNetwork.org.

About Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods is building a global snacks powerhouse and an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love.  With annual revenues of approximately $48 billion, the company is the world's second largest food company, making delicious products for billions of consumers in approximately 170 countries.  The portfolio includes 11 iconic brands with revenues exceeding $1 billion – Oreo, Nabisco and LU biscuits; Milka and Cadbury chocolates; Trident gum; Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees; Philadelphia cream cheeses; Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; and Oscar Mayer meats.  Approximately 70 brands generate annual revenues of more than $100 million.  Kraft Foods (www.kraftfoodscompany.com) (NYSE: KFT) is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.

About NBA Cares

NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world.  Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have donated than $145 million to charity, completed more than 1.4 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 525 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play, in  22 countries on five continents.  NBA Cares works with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes, including: KaBOOM!, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

SOURCE HandsOn Network