People around the country honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by donating their time as part of the national day of service on Monday, including South Whidbey.

At the Good Cheer Food Bank in Bayview, volunteers gathered to work on a variety of tasks deemed important by Garden Manager Camille Green. Together, they were able to accomplish a week’s worth of work in just three hours, Green said.

“We got through absolutely everything I had on my list,” Green said.

A work party of 18 volunteers split into two groups and worked simultaneously at both the food bank’s garden and the new Bayview garden near the old Bayview School. At the garden in front of the food bank, volunteers overturned and chopped up soil so it could decompose and absorb nitrogen and nutrients. They also spruced up beds by removing wooden borders, harvested winter greens, turned compost, pruned perennial plants and organized materials around the food bank.

The work was far less glamorous at the new garden, where volunteers dug out rocks from the soil and removed pockets of blackberry growth. The one-acre field was acquired through a cooperative agreement involving the food bank, South Whidbey School District and the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, and was recently plowed by Ebb Tide Produce.

Volunteers started working at 9 a.m. and finished with a majority of the work by noon. A few of the helpers, such as Anna Petersons of Langley, stuck around to help with additional tasks. Petersons owns a farm of her own, 12 Birches, on Craw Road. Because it’s the wintertime and work is slow, Petersons found some free time to help Green and the other volunteers.

“It’s a good time to be out working in the garden,” Petersons said. “The food bank is really important for our community. As a farmer, I’m always in favor of growing our food rather than buying it.”

Another volunteer who actively helps with the food bank, Pete Little of Langley, was among those who worked on the half-acre garden. Little used a shovel to dig up roots and soil from the ground and form rows of soil beds. His reason for helping the cause was simple: He enjoys the work. The fact that it’s a double-benefit is just an added bonus.

“Just participate in helping them get a start on the garden,” Little said. “It’s a good opportunity to get outside.”

A longtime volunteer who did not want to be named said it’s energizing and invigorating to see like-minded community members gather for a good cause, and is primarily the reason why he’s volunteered in similar capacities for 37 years.

Green organizes a work party every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Green said the tradition began back in 2009. She’s only been part of the work parties for around three years, but each year has been as successful as the one before.

“It’s a very important part of our history to honor this day with a big community service party,” Green said. “I think that being able to get all of this work at the beginning of the season means we can hit the ground running.”

“Having all this finished means I can focus on making sure I have my garden map all planned out and focus on other things that I don’t normally have time for,” she added.

With a large portion of early season work done on the food bank garden, Green can focus on other tasks, including moving forward with the new garden.

Building a fence, fundraising, grant writing and more planning are all on the docket for Green. Though it’s a national service day, Green couldn’t help but note how good a feeling it was to see dedicated volunteers donating their time for a good cause.

“It’s pretty inspiring and it feels good to honor this day by doing a big community event,” Green said. “I’m always impressed by how many people who come out and help.”