The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance is hosting its annual FOD Walk on April 22. “FOD” stands for “foreign objects and debris.”

This will be the 15th annual FOD Walk hosted by the Growth Alliance, Communications Specialist Lydia Schuur said. Though the event was started 16 years ago, there was not a walk held in 2020 because of COVID-19.

The purpose of the FOD Walk is for teams and individuals to walk around downtown Fort Dodge and pick up any trash, litter or other objects they find on the ground. Hosting it on Earth Day was intentional, Schuur said.

“It’s just kind of a nice little reminder to pick up your community,” she said.

-Messenger file photo
CJ Bio America employees look for trash to pick up along First Avenue South during the 2018 FOD Walk. Pictured from left are Andy Sheffield, Kyung Park, and Louis Kim.

Teams and individuals are encouraged to sign up to participate.

“We have a map of downtown,” Schuur said. “The different teams will have a color and that color coordinates to where they will be cleaning.”

The FOD Walk isn’t a huge time commitment either — it just runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Growth Alliance will supply gloves, trash bags and other items needed for the cleanup. The trash will then be collected in a dumpster near City Hall.

So far, about six teams have signed up to help with the FOD Walk. A soccer team from Fort Dodge Senior High also signed up to help and will be assigned a field near Target that often gets cluttered with litter and grocery sacks, Schuur said.

-Messenger file photo
Volunteer Courtney Bachel, at left, works to recover a drink cup from the storm sewer inlet in front of the Fort Dodge Municipal Building during the 2017 FOD Walk. Her Decker Truck Line Inc. coworkers Megan Kruse, center, and Peggy Cloud, right, stand by with bags. They were joined by fellow worker Teresa Otto.

“It’s really great and it’s really important because we take pride in the community and we know there are plenty of other people who do as well and this is just an outward expression to show just how much pride we have,” Schuur said of the FOD Walk.

The Growth Alliance is also planning on holding another FOD Walk in July ahead of the overnight RAGBRAI stop in Fort Dodge, Schuur said.

“We really appreciate all the people who take the time to volunteer,” she said. “I know there are so many people in this community who care and want to give back and help.”

Those interested in helping are welcome to just show up at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, 24 N.Ninth St., or they can call Schuur at 515-955-5500, or email lydia@greaterfortdodge.com to sign up a team.