ARE YOU A 501(c)(3) LICENSED NONPROFIT WITH THE IRS?

YES! We are a 501(c)(3) licensed nonprofit: EIN 83-2727724. We are also duly registered with the State of Oregon Charitable Activities section of the Oregon Department of Justice.

WHY IS THIS A UNIQUE SOLUTION?

AdoptOneBlock was designed to remove many of the barriers that prevent people from volunteering their time. We believe in making it as easy as possible for you to build your volunteer work into your own schedule, rather than the other way around.

Our unique solution: No meetups, no commuting or scheduling to volunteer, no organizations to join, and no fundraising or constant donation requests! We provide FREE cleaning supplies right to your front door as well as other resources accessible through your Block Ambassador (volunteer) dashboard once you’ve adopted your block.

As a Block Ambassador, you choose the block you love the most and you get to decide when you clean it up - all we ask is for your block to be cared for on a regular basis. We provide tools, technology and connection to like-minded communities and support!

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY BLOCK?

This is completely up to YOU! Some Ambassadors go out once a week as they are able, and others take their cleaning supplies out for a spin more or less depending on their block and schedule. We understand that your life is busy and your schedule is full, so your cleaning schedule is as flexible as you want it to be!

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?

Just like people, no block is created equal. The type and amount of trash from block to block will vary, but we expect the average block to take 15 minutes to one hour per week to clean.

The great thing about our model is that it can be easily integrated into your daily or weekly routines such as your early AM walk with the dog or an evening stroll to the park with your family. You decide what works best for you and your life. If you have any questions regarding the maintenance of your chosen block, please reach out to us for support by emailing contact@adoptoneblock.com.

WHERE DO I DISPOSE OF THE TRASH?

First, Your safety is our number one priority! We never want you to do anything that you are uncomfortable doing. Please only pick up what you are comfortable handling. You can find training links & disposal resources in your Block Ambassador dashboard for more challenging items...but here are a few good ones to reference:

We ask that you dispose of the trash in your business trash bins. We acknowledge that this may not be an option for everyone depending on your trash service or if you are picking up large quantities of trash. In these cases, we recommend the following:

• If you are needing disposal services for multiple bags of litter, you can tap into our partnership with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? For a FREE removal. For details on this program please send an email to contact@adoptoneblock.com. Please note: This program is only available to Portland Metro Resident Block Ambassadors at this time. We will be verifying BBA (Business Block Ambassador) status before conducting any free removals.

HOW DO I DISPOSE OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF TRASH OR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ITEMS IN WASHINGTON, CLACKAMAS OR MULTNOMAH COUNTY?

MetroRID teams are equipped to deal with large amounts of trash, old appliances, torn mattresses, used tires, broken furniture, oil, antifreeze, and pesticides that are dumped on public lands, sidewalks, alleyways, and waterways, putting human health and wildlife at risk.

Make a report HERE: https://ridpatrol.oregonmetro.gov/report/#/start

I LIVE IN PORTLAND AND THERE ARE TRASH OR SERVICE ISSUES THAT INVOLVE CITY PROPERTY (such as roadway debris, abandoned autos, clogged storm drains, park maintenance, etc.). WHO DO I REACH OUT TO?

Contact the PDX Reporter: https://pdxreporter.org/#Login

THERE IS A LARGE ITEM CLOSE TO, PARTIALLY, OR COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING AN INTERSTATE OR STATE HIGHWAY. WHAT DO I DO?

Email ask.odot@odot.state.or.us and be as specific as you can about the item and do your best to provide a precise location.

CAN I HAVE OTHERS JOIN ME?

YES! All are welcome but we do ask for one person per block to be the primary point of contact as a Block Ambassador.

CAN I ADOPT MORE THAN ONE LINEAR BLOCK?

As of right now, a Business Block Ambassador (BBA) can sign up for one linear block in their dashboard. While it isn't required, some Ambassadors still clean beyond their chosen blocks — this is a practice that we like to call "free-ranging" or "going rogue", and we absolutely love to see it! Any property that you clean must be public property only! Please, be aware of where you wander and do not trespass on private property! If you have any doubts, please reach out to us and we will help clarify. contact@adoptoneblock.com

MY LINEAR BLOCK IS TAKEN, WHAT DO I DO?

We allow up to two Business Block Ambassadors for each linear block. If the adoption map shows that your desired block has already been adopted by two others, then we strongly encourage adopting the next closest block available to you! Also, keep in mind that Ambassadors do release blocks and switch blocks — so if you've got your eye on a certain block, then check back every now and again, and it might become available.

MY BLOCK OR A BLOCK NEAR ME IS ADOPTED, BUT I NEVER SEE ANYONE CLEANING IT - WHAT DO I DO?

If you are confident the linear block near you is not being cared for please send a note to contact@adoptoneblock.com to let us know. Given our program is based on volunteers, we appreciate your feedback on the areas you care about.

We will reach out to the current Business Block Ambassador to see how they’re doing and if we can support their cleaning efforts. In cases where the linear block is not being cared for, we will release the linear block or hand it off to someone else who wants it.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN’T CLEAN MY BLOCK ANYMORE?

In the event you can no longer care for your adopted block, we ask that you please release your block via your Block Ambassador dashboard by selecting “RELEASE BLOCK” so someone else may care for it.

CAN I SWITCH BLOCKS?

YES! In your Block Ambassador dashboard, you can select the button that says "RELEASE BLOCK" and that will then allow you to select a new block in the mapping tool.

THERE’S A SHOPPING CART ON MY BLOCK, WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?

If the shopping cart belongs to Walmart, New Seasons, Trader Joe's, Grocery Outlet, Goodwill, or BigLots - please contact: Northwest Cart Retrieval services at (503) 427-1013 or email them at tkirk@nwcrinc.com.

If the shopping cart belongs to anyone else - please contact that grocer's nearest store and ask them to pick it up. Your request is free and the costs of retrieval are paid for by the grocer.

WHAT IS MY DONATION TO ADOPTONEBLOCK USED FOR?

Your donation is put to work toward trash cleaning supplies, supply delivery, website development, web hosting, and other external service providers to keep us legally and financially sound. For more information, check out our financials page on our website or email us at contact@adoptoneblock.com.

HOW DO I CLEAN UP BROKEN GLASS?

Basic Guidelines for Cleaning Broken Glass:

1. Protect Yourself: Wear thick rubber gloves and shoes to avoid harm
2. VERY carefully pick up the larger shards and place them in a Doubled Up Thick Trash Bag NOTE: Broken glass can't be easily recycled, and it also proves dangerous for trash handlers. Please take care to prevent glass shards from poking through your bags. You may also label your bag before throwing it away with "Contains Broken Glass".
3. To get the small pieces or glass "dust" - use a small broom and dustpan NOTE: If it's a windy day, wear eye protection to avoid getting glass dust in your eyes.

THERE'S AN ABANDONED BIKE ON MY BLOCK, WHAT DO I DO? (PDX)

If you see an abandoned bike (typically stripped) locked up somewhere, place a report to the city for removal. Report Here: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/report-abandoned-bicycle

I FOUND A DEAD BIRD, HOW DO I DISPOSE OF IT? (OR)

1. Avoid direct contact with the bird. Wear disposable rubber gloves while handling the bird or wear gloves that you can immediately put through a hot soapy wash. A dead bird can also be picked up by inverting a plastic bag on your hand and grasping the bird through the plastic.
2. Double bag the bird in plastic bags and place it in a sealed garbage can or other safe container where it cannot be disturbed by other animals.
3. Do not bring the bird into your home.
4. Do not eat, drink, smoke or touch your face with the gloves while handling the bird.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds after handling the bird.

Resource link: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/dead_bird_reporting_protocol.asp

HOW DO I ORDER MORE PAINT?

You can reorder more paint through your Business Block Ambassador dashboard under "Supplies".

WHAT ARE BUSINESS BLOCK AMBASSADORS LIKE?

They are some of the most kind, caring and AMAZING people in the world!

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM BECOMING A BUSINESS BLOCK AMBASSADOR?

To attract more customers by having a clean, neat and inviting storefront.
To be a part of a collective force for GOOD in your community.
To receive thanks and appreciation from your customers, business neighbors, and the community.
To foster a sense of pride for your home, linear block, and neighborhood.
To realize just how FUN picking up trash can really be :)

MY TRASH GRABBER BROKE, WHAT DO I DO?

You can re-up on any of our supplies in two ways:

1. Log into your Block Ambassador dashboard via adoptoneblock.org. Select the button for ordering supplies the same way you did when you first signed up. Remember to include any special delivery instructions we may need to ensure that you get your supplies.
2. Send a direct email to supplies@adoptoneblock.org and let our Supply Team know what you need and they can assist in placing an order for you.

CAN I ORDER MORE SUPPLIES FOR FRIENDS/NEIGHBORS WHO WANT TO HELP ME?

The best way to get your friends or neighbors in other households involved is encouraging them to sign up for a block and order supplies for themselves. If this is not possible, please send us an email and let us know. Please include in your email the number of extra supplies you need and we will do our best to help!

CAN I ORDER A KID-SIZE GRABBER SO THAT MY KIDS CAN PARTICIPATE?

We absolutely can send you pint-size grabbers for your pint-size Ambassadors :) Just let us know by email at supplies@adoptoneblock.org or in order instructions that you need the smaller size, and we'll take care of it.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY CLEANING SUPPLIES?

The average time is about ten (10) days, although some orders can arrive in as few as 2 days or up to 2 weeks. We utilize a few different suppliers and their ship dates can vary. We appreciate your patience with this, but please let us know sooner rather than later if you’ve been waiting for a delivery and/or think something is amiss with your order. We will check on it right away and provide tracking information when available.

WHY DO YOU USE AMAZON FOR DELIVERY OF CLEANUP SUPPLIES?

As a small nonprofit we are focused on being extremely cost efficient with donor funds. At this time, Amazon Business is the best, most cost efficient option available to us that enables supply delivery to the front door of each of our thousands of Block Ambassadors.

I DON’T SEE A SHARPS CONTAINER AS AN OPTION FOR SUPPLIES, WHY NOT?

When you sign up for a block, you are prompted to select whether your block is standard or challenging. If you select standard, you will not see an option to choose a sharps container as part of your supply order. This is because challenging blocks are defined by the presence of hazardous items such as syringes or needles, or human waste. We reserve sharps containers for Ambassadors working on these blocks.

If you did initially select standard but you have found that sharps are appearing on your block, please send us an email at supplies@adoptoneblock.org and we can send you a sharps container right away!

HOW MANY BUCKETS CAN I ORDER?

At this time, we limit each household to two (2) buckets.

CAN I HAVE TRASH BAGS AND A BUCKET?

As a small nonprofit, we want to ensure that we have enough to go around for all of the wonderful Ambassadors eager to help beautify our communities. We ask Ambassadors to choose between either 13-gallon bags or a 5-gallon bucket to complete their cleanup kits.

I WANT DIFFERENT SUPPLIES FROM WHAT YOU OFFER, CAN I MAKE A SPECIAL REQUEST?

We are a small team serving an ever-growing number of Block Ambassadors, so we are limiting items to you will find in your dashboard available for order. We try to make sure that the items we do have available are the ones that make cleaning up easy and safe.

Of course, you are welcome to use any supplies that you already have or want to purchase for your own use; many Ambassadors have put together very creative cleaning kits that work for their unique needs when on their block.

WHERE CAN I SHARE MY FEEDBACK REGARDING SUPPLIES?

You can email the supply team at supplies@adoptoneblock.org to let us know any suggestions or ideas you may have! We appreciate hearing your thoughts and feedback.

I DON’T NEED FREE SUPPLIES, BUT I WANT TO CLEAN MY BLOCK.

You do not have to order or use our free cleaning supplies to participate in this program! You are welcome to adopt your block and use your own supplies if you’d like.