Five volunteer teams across Mobile County are splitting $5,500 in grant money after converting hours spent on litter cleanup and neighborhood beautification into funding through the county’s Love Your Community program.
The Mobile County Commission awarded the grants for time banked through the program’s Time Bank model, which lets volunteer teams earn grant funding by logging hours spent on litter cleanup, beautification, recycling and other environmental stewardship projects in public spaces.
“What I love most about this program is that it is resident-driven,” said Commissioner Connie Hudson, who leads the county’s Love Your Community initiative. “Teams identify a need, volunteer to improve their community, and earn the resources to turn those ideas into projects with lasting improvements.”
Since the program relaunched in 2021, roughly 250 teams have earned more than $74,500 in grants through the Time Bank. Love Your Community is funded by the Mobile County Commission and operated in partnership with Keep Mobile Beautiful, with program funding supported by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.
This round’s recipients include two $1,500 grants: to Father and Daughter Team Up 2 Clean Up, for a community cleanup event in Trinity Gardens, and to Lady Litter Gitters, for a Phase III clubhouse beautification project that includes a sprinkler system and a protective cover for the neighborhood’s Little Free Library and Blessing Box. Two $1,000 grants went to the Trinity Gardens Community Action Team, for television recycling and community e-cycling education, and to Sisters Team Up 2 Clean Up, for a community recycling event with education on proper recycling and waste disposal. A $500 grant went to Ladies Against Litter for clubhouse landscaping and shrub installation.
The Love Your Community program originally launched in 2018 to engage residents in tackling litter, protecting local waterways and beautifying neighborhoods throughout Mobile County. It paused during the COVID-19 pandemic before relaunching on Earth Day 2021 with the current Time Bank model, which lets volunteers effectively earn their own project funding rather than applying for a fixed grant pool. Teams interested in registering can visit LoveYourCommunity.com, call 251-444-7144 or email coordinator@loveyourcommunity.com.