The Mustard Seed Kamloops is going to cleanup garbage along Victoria Street West from the Overlanders Bridge to First Avenue once a week.

Outreach Supervisor Jeff Arlitt says the cleanup – called Good Neighbour Cleanup – will take place on Tuesdays, adding the idea came about after he met with city council a few weeks ago.

“You know, I guess they were getting a few complaints from the businesses in the surrounding area, just with the garbage and needles and people loitering around in front or behind their businesses,” he said. “So they were just trying to figure out a way that we could maybe resolve that or come up with some sort of solution to fix it.”

Arlitt adds the program will be for clients of the Mustard Seed Kamloops, but he says it’s open to anyone who wants to help out.

“You know we did start off with five people last Tuesday. Next week, we’ll probably have a good 10 to 15, and you know, the more the merrier,” Arlitt said. “We’re just hoping to get as many people as we can involved. It builds community, and the biggest thing is that it builds a relationship between you know the business owners and our guests.”

There is a safety meeting before each clean up so that people stay safe, especially when it comes to picking up needles. He adds the volunteers will all put on a high-visibility vest and gloves when going around.

“If they are uncomfortable picking up needles, we’ll have a team leader or myself pick that up,” noted Arlitt.