November 4, 2026
At The J.M. Smucker Co., our people routinely show what it means to make a meaningful impact where we live and work.
Through our partnership with Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and its local affiliates, our employees partnered with other engaged local citizens to lead cleanup and beautification endeavors in six communities as part of the Greatest American Cleanup project— a nationwide cleanup initiative in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The results tell an impressive story. Across the six projects, 172 volunteers contributed 451 hours of service, removed 5,952 pounds of litter, and improved 19 acres of property. Together, they created cleaner, more welcoming spaces across the country for communities to enjoy.
McCalla, Alabama: Beautifying Lowetown Community Park
Nineteen Smucker volunteers contributed 75 hours at Lowetown Community Park in McCalla, Alabama. Working alongside Keep Alabama Beautiful, the team collected litter, removed limbs and weeds, and installed dozens of plants around the park sign. After a productive day, volunteers were treated to a fish fry prepared by Lowetown Community Park committee members. The project also helped establish an ongoing partnership between Smucker and park volunteers.
Longmont, Colorado: Caring for a Community Recreation Space
At Left Hand Creek Park in Longmont, 25 Smucker employees dedicated 50 volunteer hours to caring for a major community recreation area. Partnering with Keep Colorado Beautiful, employees removed 800 pounds of litter while cleaning and improving the 11.5-acre park.
New Orleans, Louisiana: Making an Earth Month Impact
In New Orleans, 29 Smucker employees came together with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for an Earth Month cleanup. Over 58 volunteer hours, employees removed 3,620 pounds of litter along a mile of roadway and an acre of public land, making a significant difference in an area of great need.
Columbus, Georgia: Protecting the Chattahoochee River
Twenty-five Smucker employees gathered along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, contributing 50 volunteer hours to clean the local riverwalk. Employees and their family members removed 620 pounds of litter, helping prevent it from entering the waterway and washing downstream. Their efforts demonstrated how caring for our local spaces can have an impact that extends well beyond the cleanup site itself.
Akron, Ohio: Showing Up in a Big Way
Smucker employees from our Ohio headquarters joined Keep Akron Beautiful, additional local volunteers, and Akron city officials for the Big West Market Street Cleanup and Cleanup of Ward 1. Seventy employees contributed 210 volunteer hours while helping clean and improve more than six acres of the city and remove 872 pounds of litter. The effort also provided an opportunity to strengthen local relationships for future collaboration.
DeGray Lake, Arkansas: A Small Team Supporting a Big Community Effort
A small contingent of local citizens was able to represent Smucker at the DeGray Lake cleanup, contributing eight volunteer hours and removing 40 pounds of litter. Their participation was part of the 48th Keep Arkansas Beautiful & Keep DeGray Lake Beautiful Lake Cleanup. The overall event brought together 353 community volunteers who contributed 2,118 hours to remove 4,500 pounds of litter across 10,000 acres and 65 miles of roadway, shoreline, and trail.
A Partnership That Helps Us Do Beautiful Things
While each project was unique, they are all connected by the same goal: caring for the places our people and their families call home. We are grateful to Keep America Beautiful for helping create opportunities for our employees to get involved, connect with their communities, and make a tangible difference. In the first year of this partnership, our teams did some truly beautiful things together, and we thank every employee and volunteer who helped bring that work to life. And, of course, an Uncrustables® sandwich proved to be a pretty great way to celebrate at the end of a volunteer shift!
