Here we are, a week into a new decade. The major holidays may be over, but that’s no excuse not to pay attention to major issues in Phoenix or get involved.

And since its January in the Phoenix metro, there is surely many events to get involved with. The Arizona Legislature gets started Monday Jan. 13. Moms Demand Action will be there.

Or, Jan. 11, participate in an Art Walk to End Human Trafficking or Climate Change & Public Lands Workshop on Jan. 12.

But have no fear there are always ways to raise your community consciousness in the Phoenix metro. See below for more.

THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Jan. 8
An event for Feed My Starving Children will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its headquarters, 1345 S. Alma School Road, Mesa. Volunteers will pack hundreds of meals.

Saturday, Jan. 11
Art Walk to End Human Trafficking will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 11)  at the Phoenix Dream Center, 3210 NW Grand Ave. Over 50 human trafficking survivors have painted and created artwork that expresses the heart of survivors and the hope of their recovery. Admission is $8.

We the People Summit 4 starts at 8 a.m. Desert Vista High School, 16440 S. 32nd St. in Phoenix. The summit will focus on the upcoming 2020 Census and everything related to elections, including redistricting, voter turnout tools and techniques, avoiding political burnout and more.

St. Luke Catholic Church is distributing free produce from 10 a.m. to noon at its Phoenix location, 19644 N. 7th Ave. Volunteers are welcome.

A Lower Salt River cleanup at Pebble Beach will begin at 10 a.m. Volunteers will clean up trash; gloves, bags, and goodies will be provided. People should bring a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated. Pets (on leash) are also welcomed.

Sunday, Jan. 12
Noted attorney Bob McWhirter will speak on the 19th Amendment, which recognized a women’s right to vote at 10 a.m. at the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix, 627 Rio Salado Pkwy. in Mesa. An optional breakfast buffet is available at 9 a.m.; a $5 donation is requested.

Climate Change & Public Lands Workshop, complete with a luncheon and  garden tour, will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. in Phoenix. Admission is free.

A screening of the documentary 13th is set for 6 p.m. at the Phoenix Hostel & Cultural Center, 1026 N. 9th St. This film explores the continued enslavement of black Americans through the provisions of the 13th amendment, as well as how mass incarceration affects all communities of color.

Monday, Jan. 13
CBS anchor and reporter Scott Pelley will discuss his book Truth Worth Telling at 7 p.m. at the First Amendment Forum, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication,  555 N. Central Ave.in Phoenix.

Moms Demand Action is a notable group that will take action at the Opening Day at the Arizona Legislature starting at 10 a.m. Also, visit the Arizona Legislature website for more information on opening day and further events at the capitol during this session.

UPCOMING
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Bikes Fight Poverty Rider/Volunteer Meeting
1 MISSION’s Bikes Fight Poverty Pre-Ride

Thursday, Jan. 16
Free Food, Clothing, Shoe’s & Eye Glass Voucher
Arizona State Capitol Presentation with Marco Gonzalez
You Racist, Sexist, Bigot
Consul General of Mexico at ASU
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond and Eat Mesquite and More

Saturday, Jan. 18
AZ For Life March and Rally 2020
Phoenix Women’s March 2020 https://www.facebook.com/events/490866368219263/ 

Sunday, Jan. 19
Women’s March Phoenix 2020 https://www.facebook.com/events/1481910628616159/ 
Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon Celebrates 17 Years of Running 

Monday, Jan. 20
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2020 at the Rio Salado https://www.facebook.com/events/2417523951848174/

Tuesday, Jan. 21
The Hermeneutics of Violence by Barrett West Global Visiting Scholar Dr. Paulina Sosnowska

Wednesday, Jan. 22
The Wisdom of Indigenous Foodways

Friday, Jan. 24
The Real Benjamin Franklin and the spirit of capitalism

Tuesday, Jan. 28
Imagining Judeo-Christian America

Wednesday, Jan. 29
Free Film Screening: The River and the Wall