NATCHEZ — Litter remains one of Natchez’s most frustrating problems for both residents and public officials, but both have a chance to do something about it on Earth Day.

A week from today, Natchez will hold its spring cleanup, as citizens and officials alike can gather together with the united goal of ridding their streets of trash.

The cleanup kicks off 8 a.m. at Memorial Park and will last until noon. In addition to its eco-friendly motives, the event also offers residents a chance to enjoy a free lunch after the cleanup concludes at noon, as well as a chance to win coupons and cash rewards. Various prizes will also be hidden all over the city in large quantities of trash as part of the event’s scavenger hunt.

An added benefit of this year’s cleanup is that it provides high school students a chance to fulfill their service requirements, Natchez City Planner Riccardo Giani said.

“We’re doing a concerted effort to the schools to get the seniors or any students affiliated with any sort of organization, if they need community service hours, come out and participate,” Giani said.

But residents do not have to wait until Earth Day on April 21 to begin the cleanup effort.

Leading up to that date, Natchez Public Works is offering a free collection service in which bulky items such as large appliances, couches or mattresses, as well as landscaping debris such as tree limbs can be picked up at no cost, so long as no hazardous materials are included.

“They can put it out to the curb and organize with Public Works, and in a timely manner, Public Works will come pick it up,” Giani said.

Residents can call 601-445-6652 to schedule a pickup.

A large dumpster is also available at the intersection of Minor and Martin Luther King Jr. streets for trash disposal.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell urged residents to come to the event and help maintain Natchez’s beauty, but also that he hopes the event has a lasting effect that extends far past just Earth Day.

“Hopefully, what I would like to see stem from this, instill pride in people so that they will want to do this on a daily basis,” Grennell said. “It’s just important … where there’s cleanliness, there’s Godliness.”

Sponsors for the event are Keep Mississippi Beautiful, the Natchez Markets, Walmart, the YMCA of Natchez, Sonic, Merit Health Natchez and All Brands Vending.

For more details about the event, Giani can be reached at 601-445-7518 or at rgiani@natchez.ms.us