Trash Day: Chatsworth Nonprofit Receives $3,000 Grant

CHATSWORTH, CA — Chatsworth-based nonprofit Volunteers Cleaning Communities on Wednesday received a $3,000 grant from the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council to help fund their neighborhood cleanups.

The funding will help the organization pay for charges associated with their five to six weekly trash cleanups like landfill costs, massive trash bins, special trash pickup bags and finding a local community leader for Porter Ranch, according to founder Jill Mather.

Landfill charges are a hefty $100 per dump and appropriately-sized trash bins are a $150 monthly charge for the organization, Mather said. The necessary trash bags go for $0.50 a bag.

"I am very appreciative to the [neighborhood council] and know that they have supported what we have done that past year and participated in many clean ups with me," Mather said.

Volunteers Cleaning Communities have done cleanups on the state Route 118, Ronald Reagan Freeway, between Tampa Avenue and Reseda Boulevard in Porter Ranch. Last year, volunteers cleaned up over 250 trash bags of debris from an abandoned homeless encampment near Limekiln Park in Porter Ranch, Mather said.

Volunteers Cleaning Communities cleans the 118 Freeway in Porter Ranch at least twice a month, concentrating on on- and off-ramps. Their work in Porter Ranch will continue to expand, especially given how many local partners the organization already has, Mather said.

Neighborhood council treasurer Jason Hector has participated in Volunteers Cleaning Communities trash pickups in the past and suggested Mather apply for a grant given her efforts in Porter Ranch.

"I think there's ways that we can definitely support her and grow the program because it's very challenging getting volunteers," Hector said. He added: "The way that Jill has networked and built this up, I think it's an important collaboration"

Regional leads can receive student credits for working with Volunteers Cleaning Communities.

Visit the organization's website to learn more about how to volunteer with Volunteers Cleaning Communities.