How to clean up Memphis?

I have always felt strongly about the environment and protecting it. I love Memphis, but we have always had a problem with littering and bumping trash. There are programs now that are trying, but I wonder how effective those programs will be if they don't focus on why areas end up the way they are. Living in Memphis for most of my life I think poverty is one of the biggest reasons. The city ignores poorer areas and mostly picks up trash in wealthy or touristy areas. There are many areas where it is known that people are bumping, and it's illegal, but the city still does not take action. I want to make a difference, and my physical body is failing me. I have thought about maybe starting a reward program or something for the homeless, but I can't make the city take littering laws more seriously. I just want to start a conversation and hopefully with some more minds than my own I can come up with something to actually do.