Bangor Syringe Service Program Teams With Volunteers on Cleanups

More than a dozen volunteers in Bangor have been gathering every Sunday to collect litter and discarded syringes from public spaces, WABI reported. The group most recently cleaned Coe Park, the 12th weekend of the effort.

The cleanups, which began in August, are run jointly by Needlepoint Sanctuary, a syringe service program at 1009 Ohio St., and Quality of Life Maine, a volunteer-led group founded in April by program director Bryce Badger. Volunteers meet at the Ohio Street site at 11:30 a.m. before fanning out across the city.

Wyatt Worster, program administrator with Needlepoint Sanctuary, said volunteers are trained in sharps safety and use provided containers to collect needles, broken glass and other hazards.

Badger said Quality of Life Maine has four aims: outreach to unhoused people, picking up litter in public spaces, reducing stigma around homelessness and contributing to solutions in Bangor. He said the group grew out of his decision to pass along two bags of food he received for volunteering at a food bank.

Organizers said the weekly cleanups will shift to a winter outreach program focused on helping people stay warm. Worster said the events also publicize local services, naming the Mabel Wadsworth Center, Maine Family Planning and Wabanaki Public Health.

This story was first reported by WABI.