Mattoon Community Helps Salvation Army After Mattress Dumping
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Mattoon Community Helps Salvation Army After Mattress Dumping
- A Mattoon Salvation Army location recently faced an estimated $800-plus in trash removal fees after mattresses were illegally dumped on its property for the second time in a month.
- Salvation Army Envoy Carrie Shepherd highlighted that these incidents divert funds from essential community services.
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The Salvation Army in Mattoon, Illinois, recently experienced illegal dumping of mattresses and box springs on its property, leading to significant cleanup costs. This is not an isolated incident, as the organization had to spend $1,200 just last month to remove similar debris. Envoy Carrie Shepherd expressed concern that these unexpected expenses directly impact the Salvation Army’s ability to provide food and utility assistance to families in need.
The most recent dumping occurred last Sunday, when Shepherd discovered mattresses and box springs scattered across five different locations on the property. In response, the Salvation Army appealed to the community for assistance. A local resident with a truck and trailer stepped forward on Tuesday, removing all the dumped items and even covering the disposal fees out of his own pocket.
The Salvation Army does not accept used mattresses due to public health concerns like bedbugs and hygiene, and no local thrift stores are able to resell them. The organization urges the community to utilize their drop-off center during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They also encourage individuals with items needing disposal to contact them for information on proper resources, rather than resorting to illegal dumping. The property is under 24-hour surveillance, and illegal dumping is considered a crime.