ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s the start of a new tradition in Orlando.

Monday was the first Martin Luther King Day of Service “million meal pack.”

Thousands of volunteers packed food in assembly lines at the Orange County Convention Center. The effort was a partnership with U.S. Hunger.

“There are a lot of service projects that are being organized across the country, but we feel very privileged to be able to participate in this one,” said City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

The food will be distributed to food organizations across Central Florida.

"We have made it a priority for us to feed those who are hungry and to house those who are homeless,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “And that word goes on, we’re not where we need to be.”

More than 3,000 volunteers split across three shifts to make a total of 1 million food bags on Monday.

For Rick Levy, it’s a way to give back.

Levy is a key volunteer for U.S. Hunger based in Longwood. He typically volunteers 12 to 16 hours a week.

“We’re replenishing lentils, which is the largest component that go in the bag,” he said. “You’re helping to feed children that are in need, helping to feed families that are in need.”

Levy says MLK Day marks an important day in his calendar, it’s a day of service for him. He has volunteered at U.S. Hunger for nine months. He says he keeps the volunteers motivated, but it doesn’t take much to do that.

“They’re all here because they want to be here, that’s the good thing about it,” he said.

U.S Hunger officials say it was time to bring these efforts to their own community and build a rich tradition.

“There’s a continuous need for this,” said Levy.

The goal is for this to grow to a statewide day of service across the entire state of Florida.

“For a retired geezer like me, not only does it get me out of the house, but it gives me a lot of satisfaction,” said Levy.

Officials said they’re already planning for next year’s event.

A portion of the funding for this event is $20,000 in scholarships funded by Kroger and distributed through the Foundation For Orange County Public Schools and the City Of Orlando’s MLK Commission. It’s for students focused on careers in service and technology.