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VisitLex program treats Lexingtonians and friends to a free cup of coffee in exchange for picking up litter

Kaitlyn Cooper, a barista at A Cup of Common Wealth, pours a coffee behind the counter. A Cup of Common Wealth is directly across the street from Thoroughbred Park and Northeastern Park Playground.
Clay Wallace
Kaitlyn Cooper, a barista at A Cup of Common Wealth, pours a coffee behind the counter. A Cup of Common Wealth is directly across the street from Thoroughbred Park and Northeastern Park Playground.

The initiative, called Pick Up Perks, works like this: participants fill a trash bag with litter from a local neighborhood or park, then claim their free drip coffee from a participating cafe.

VisitLex has partnered with six local coffee shops: Leestown Coffee, The Greenery, Third Street Stuff and Coffee, A Cup of Commonwealth, North Lime Coffee and Donuts, and Kenwick Table.

Participants can choose their preferred location, scan a QR code to register, get trash bags and supplies from the barista, head out to clean up a park, and return to claim their free cup of joe.

VisitLex presents the initiative as a "voluntourism" opportunity, giving visitors the chance to engage in meaningful ways with the community.

“Lexington is known for its natural beauty, walkable neighborhoods, and vibrant community,” said Arin Arnold-Davis, VisitLEX’s Director of Destination Stewardship and Community Engagement. “With Pick Up Perks, visitors can enjoy a great local cup of coffee while experiencing our city in a more meaningful way and leaving it a little better than they found it.”

Both locals and visitors are encouraged to participate, and are eligible for one free cup per month.