This February marked the one-year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster in East Palestine, an incident that spurred our Community to action. Through the Grassroots Grants Program (and additional funds raised through the generosity of our Community) we rushed support to frontline groups aiding and mobilizing residents. Recently, we revisited this site in an area of the Ohio River Valley dubbed “Cancer Valley” to check back in with a community dealing with a health crisis in the aftermath. When President Biden visited East Palestine in February, we made sure to capture the community’s response for a future short video about the ongoing issues in the area. Story of Stuff Project coordinated with grantee River Valley Organizing project to capture community demands for emergency relief for families in this now poisoned region.
Earlier in April, Norfolk Southern agreed to a $600 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit around the crash, which should bring some relief to the community, including $104 million for community assistance. Residents continue to suffer from health ailments like rashes and chemical burns, as well as displacement.
Also this week the Biden administration announced a crackdown on more than 200 chemical plants, asking them to reduce their emissions of toxic chemicals as part of a broader effort to reduce cancer cases. We will be keeping an eye on how these new regulations impact communities.
With our current focus on incineration facilities, we are thrilled to see progress in Long Beach and Stanislaus – both areas where our Grassroots Grants Program has funded local groups advocating for these facilities’ closures. The Long Beach incinerator shut down in January and the Stanislaus incinerator will likely be out of business by June. Without state subsidies – which our grantees campaigned to end – these facilities face insurmountable financial issues.
New Grantees
Panethnic Pourovers – Boston, MA
Fights racism and capitalism through the centering of resources, education, and art reflective of underrepresented identities and cultures. Panethnic Pourovers represents and advocates for the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI), BIPOC, and queer communities in the Greater Boston Area.
This grant supports the “Community Gardening Workshop Cohort” project, which aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources to cultivate thriving gardens and green spaces in the local community. Spanning late March to late May, the workshop series will cover essential gardening topics and provide hands-on experiences to participants.
Voices in Solidarity Against Oil in Neighborhoods (VISION) – Kern & Los Angeles County, California
VISION formed to bring together community groups and allies who are concerned with the impact of oil and gas extraction on communities in Kern and Los Angeles Counties. VISION fights to prevent and shut down oil and gas drilling through bottom up coalition based organizing and policy change. In March 2024, the coalition had a victory by securing a court ruling to halt Kern County’s plan to fast track oil drilling near homes and schools.
Race to Zero Waste – San Francisco, California
Woman-founded and run, Race to Zero Waste is dedicated to reducing consumption, promoting reuse, and advancing an equitable circular economy.
This grant will help sponsor the Zero Waste Forum, a platform to showcase success stories and sticking points in zero waste initiatives, provide insightful content and shift the narrative away from recycling towards concepts such as rethink, redesign, reuse, repair, re-earth, and resource reduction (also known as The Rs of Zero Waste).
Our sponsorship supports a ticket for past grantee Valley Improvement Project and another international speaker to have a free ticket to the Forum. Bianca Lopez from the Valley Improvement Project will be speaking about the Burning Injustice Film Screening and the inspiration behind getting the Stanislaus County incinerator closed. Story of Stuff team member Miriam Gordon will be hosting a panel discussion on zero waste.
Rooted Uprising – Alameda, California
Rooted Uprising is a BIPOC-led social and environmental justice collective that engages, elevates, and empowers communities to take action towards a regenerative world. This grant provides seed funding to help grow the grassroots collective, which currently operates as an all-volunteer organization spanning across North America. Rooted Uprising is a partner of Valley Improvement Project and hosted a screening of Burning Injustice in February 2024. They’ve previously hosted a screening of The Story of Plastic in 2021.
Matriarch Ways Inc. – Phoenix, Arizona
This group has a vision of deep connection with the earth and ourselves, allowing our society to foster a lifestyle that upholds values and principles that honor indigeneity. Their mission is to actualize the community’s inherent power through healing and Indigenous life skills for all American communities. Matriarch Ways are known as organizers of Indigenous Peoples Day Arizona (IPDAZ), an annual event every second Monday of October.
