Food Co-Op’s annual Earth Day cleanup

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A local business in Marquette is hosting a cleanup event in observation of Earth Day over the weekend.

Last year, Marquette’s Food Co-Op board of directors started a new tradition around Earth Day to go out and pick up all the garbage they find in all the neighborhoods. On Sunday they will be hosting their 2nd annual neighborhood cleanup and offering a chance for the public to learn more about the Co-Op and their mission.

Director of Outreach for the Co-Op, Sarah Monte couldn’t be more excited about the annual event and told us, “Sort of a thank you. And we appreciate being here tall of the people who host us in this neighborhood. And this year, we’re actually asking folks to come and join us.”

With the help of the community, Monte believes they be able to go further and wider into the neighborhoods with their clean up and she said, “People don’t think about how much trash accumulates in these neighborhoods in a cute little downtown like this, but there’s plenty of garbage to pick up.”

According to Monte they found so much trash around last year they decided they needed to do this every year. Monte said the board of directors are committed to the environment and strive to better the neighborhood and couldn’t think of a better time than Earth Day to give back to the local community. And she added, “There is a simple and obvious goal of just cleaning up the neighborhood and having pride in the neighborhood that we reside in.”

Board members say it is a time to think about the Earth, to think about the environment, and just take a very small amount of time out of your day to do something to improve the place we live.

To sweeten the deal, The food co-op’s kitchen will be serving snacks and beverages for all participants to enjoy during the event.

To learn more about this annual event and how you can take part, please visit here.