BAKERSFIELD, CA - The City of Bakersfield has secured $250,000 to pay the homeless to help clean up litter on our roadways. But, more funding is needed.
That's where donors from the private sector come in, and KGET is spearheading the effort to get businesses to donate. On Thursday, PG&E pledged $6,700 to the program to clean up a stretch of road in front of their Kern Power Plant.
Other companies can do the same, by sponsoring a roadway cleanup in our community. And, as a bonus they will be recognized on KGET.
"It's our home," said Tom Randour, Vice President and General Manager of KGET. "We all live here."
Caltrans has committed $250,000 and Kern Council of Governments may contribute $300,000, which is enough to get the cleanup started. But, to make it look even better they'd like $200,000.
"I'm certain that I am going to get through the entire freeway system with the help we're getting from Caltrans and KernCog. But, I'm certain with a few more dollars I'll get when people drive by, they're like 'wow, I see the difference'," said Sal Moretti, Superintendent for Bakersfield Solid Waste Division.
That's where the private sector comes in.
"The private sector is where we hope we will get the money to get this thing done," said Moretti.
KGET is recruiting those businesses and giving recognition to those to contribute.
"We're going to let the people know through public service announcements who the partners are and their participation," said Randour.
On Thursday, PG&E donated $6,700 for two years to help clean the road around their old Kern Power Plant at the intersection of Rosedale Highway and Coffee Road.
"PG&E is very passionate in supporting the communities in which we work and serve and live, and this is just one of many examples of PG&E doing that," said Katie Allen, Spokesperson for PG&E.
"Most companies can help with funding, but don't have the manpower to actually go out and do the cleaning. So, to me this is a good partnership in the private and public sector," said Randour.
If you would like to get involved, you can call our station at (661) 283-1700 or call the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful hotline (661) 326-3539.
