To maintain proper social distancing and minimize the possible spread of COVID-19, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the community clean-up programs, Spring Clean & Adopt-A-Street, effective immediately. While this was a tough call to make, please know that we are appreciative of everyone who has been involved in past Spring Clean and Adopt-A-Street efforts. These programs reflect our residents’ pride in keeping our community safe and welcoming for all. We realize this is an effort that many people feel passionate about and take on with pride. We will continue to keep residents updated on when and how these important efforts may once again resume. At this time, we’re asking Seattleites to halt all community cleanup programs and events effective immediately.
Adopt-A-Street and Spring Clean have been staples of SPU’s community partnership efforts since the 1980s, working with thousands of volunteers across the city. In the past decade alone, our volunteers have donated over 40,000 hours of service and helped pickup over half a million pounds of trash. We are extremely proud of the work they do in service to one another and we are so thankful for the opportunity this program gives us to help Seattle be the best place to live, work, and visit.
Thankfully, there are still many ways you can help serve your community:
- All In Seattle
All in Seattle is a local grassroots campaign started by Seattleites to bring together information to donate to various causes needing help throughout the Central Puget Sound. They have raised over $27,000,000 so far. For more information, visit All in Seattle.
- Donate to Food Banks
As the economic effects of COVID-19 begin to be felt, we want to ensure our neighbors have the food they need. Please consider donating to your local food bank. More information can be found here.
- Donate Supplies to Hospitals
Due to COVID-19’s rapid spread through the region and country, hospitals are quickly running low on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This shortage puts hospital staff and patients at risk. To donate equipment, please look at the King County Regional Donations Connector page or contact donations@kingcounty.gov.
- Make sure the immediate area outside your residence or business remains clean. Check your storm drains to make sure they are clear.
Just because you can’t gather in groups doesn’t mean you can’t host your own solo Spring Clean efforts in your immediate area. Be sure to wear protective gloves and take all necessary precautions. Please do not pick up litter you find on walks. Use the Find-It Fix-It App to report litter or illegal dumping. If you have extra garbage, recycling, or yard waste to put out, see our blog post for more information.
- Properly secure trash
Improperly secured garbage increases the chance of exposure to our garbage workers as they provide us a vital service. Please make sure all garbage, recycling, and compost you put out to the curb is properly secured in their containers. Please make sure all garbage is bagged.
- Report city maintenance issues
SPU, SDOT, City Light, Parks & Rec, and many other departments depend on our community to let us know when something needs to be fixed. The quicker we know, the quicker we can make it right. Whether you’re driving to the store or taking a walk through the neighborhood, let us know if there is something the city needs to fix.
You can report city maintenance issues by calling (206) 684-2489 OR by using the Find It, Fix It App.
What is Find It, Fix It?
Find it, Fix It, is the City of Seattle’s official mobile app that allows you to report issues like litter, illegal dumping, and graffiti directly to the city. It is the easiest and most efficient method of quickly reporting maintenance issues across the city. Just take a picture of what the issue is, enter some quick descriptive information, and submit the request.
For more information please visit the Customer Service Bureau’s Information Page.
We are watching the situation unfold very carefully and making decisions on the best available information from our partners at King County Public Health and the Center for Disease Control. We hope to restart these programs when it is clearly safe to do so and appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we make these decisions. We will continue to inform you through this blog, as well as on our social media channels – follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm and support of our mission here at SPU. For additional resources and information on COVID-19 please go to the official City of Seattle response page.
To all members of our amazing community, be safe and healthy, and remember we are all in this together.
Best Regards,
SPU Community Partnerships Team
