This week’s rain has caused a slight change in preparations for the City of Great Bend’s citywide cleanup which begins Saturday and runs through Sunday, Oct. 2. 

The Sunflower Diversified Services’ lot at 5605 10th St. is still the staging area, however the fenced-in area is too muddy. So the roll-off dumpsters where residents can deposit their trash will be placed in the area just off 10th Street, city officials said Thursday afternoon. 

The hours Saturday remain 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Control measures to marshal traffic into the lot and amongst the containers will be in place, but the exact plan is not determined.

Once the fenced area has dried, the containers will be moved there, officials said.

“People can bring their stuff to the that lot to dump for free,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said. However, there may be those who need help hauling their items to the lot.

So, the city is partnering with Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s Damn It Do It Day effort and Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas to coordinate the volunteer portion. 

“We understand that there will be people who need assistance,” Francis said. The city is still compiling a list of those seeking help so volunteers can make the rounds Saturday (this service will only be available on this day).

“We want to be sure we can serve as many people as possible,” said GBED President Sara Hayden. The Damn It Do It initiative is working with the city on this effort in lieu of holding an intensive, one-day event like it did last summer.

Damn It Do It is coordinating the sale of lunches including hamburgers, as well as selling T-shirts as a fundraiser. The goal is to generate the money needed to sponsor a large-scale project.

To volunteer or to request assistance, contact Francis at City Hall, 620-793-4111 or by email at KFrancis@greatbendks.net.