MARYSVILLE — Lakewood High School senior Kalan Knott had never volunteered for community service during Martin Luther King Jr. Day before, and had never volunteered at a food bank before, but this year, he wanted to get involved.

So, after checking the United Way of Snohomish County’s website, he found himself helping families shop for their meals at the Marysville Community Food Bank Jan. 19.

“I like feeling connected to these people,” said Knott, who praised the convenience and organization of the food bank. “It’s like the slogan says; ‘Take a day on, not a day off.’ You can do it during any holiday.”

Arlington High School senior Hunter Stevenson was struck by the variety of people whom he joined in volunteering at the food bank that day, all of whom have their own reasons for contributing their time and efforts.

“Which is good, because a lot of people come here for meals,” Stevenson said. “I didn’t expect so many.”

While Stevenson and Knott helped clients load up their shopping carts, a trio of Marysville-Pilchuck High School students worked in the back of the food bank, sorting bags of food.

“So often, we think only about ourselves, but this reminds us that others have greater needs than us,” junior Yulissa Bautista said.

Sophomore Elena Everybodytalksabout, a fellow first-year MLK Day volunteer, agreed: “I like helping people who don’t have enough food to eat. Not everyone can get meals as easily as we do.”

Fellow sophomore Loren Anderson has been volunteering at the Marysville food bank for the past two years, after moving from Everett, where he also volunteered at the food bank.

“I just like seeing how the community can come together for a common cause,” Anderson said.

These teens were not alone. The United Way’s MLK Day of Service in Snohomish County drew 268 teens and 41 adults as volunteers, as well as 16 agencies hosting projects at 14 sites.

Students in the Marysville YMCA Minority Achievers Program helped elderly and disabled people with housework.

“These people are our clients, and they all need your help,” said Allison Taylor, programs coordinator for Catholic Community Services. “They would not be able to live on their own without your help.”

Marysville’s James Jennings is an adult with developmental disabilities who also copes with physical ailments ranging from poor eyesight to tremors. His mother, Cindy, expressed her gratitude to the MAP students for their thorough housecleaning of her son’s apartment.

“This should help him be more independent,” Cindy Jennings said. “James is really good with structure, but when he has to handle things on the fly, not so much. I’m really impressed with these kids’ willingness to help.”

Craig Chambers, youth development director for the Marysville YMCA, noted that around 40 MAP students took part in this year’s MLK Day of Service, which is about average.

“It gives them the opportunity to learn the value of community service, which you often don’t understand until you do it,” Chambers said. “I hope they never forget it. If it was more than just kids doing this, and if it was more than just this day, the world would be a better place.”