Do you have some overdue library books? Do you have some canned soup stored around the house? Beginning Friday, those soup cans can help you pay for your library late fees.
The Statesboro Regional Library will hold “Food for Fines” starting Friday and running through Saturday, Feb. 16. During that time library patrons may bring in one canned good in exchange for $1 in regular overdue fines on library materials. Up to $5 in fines will be forgiven.
Library Director Lois Roberts said, “The ‘Food for Fines’ program is our Valentine’s gift to the community and to The Food Bank, Inc. of Statesboro, which will receive all donations brought to the library. This is our third year for this special event and this year all five of our affiliated libraries will be participating at the same time, and various charities in those communities will benefit.”
The program provides library patrons with a way to reduce or eliminate overdue fines, and provides much-needed donations to The Food Bank, Inc. Donated goods apply only to fines, not lost or damaged materials or collections accounts.
Canned items such as soups, fruits and vegetables, beans, pasta dishes and meats are welcome, as well as rice, oatmeal, cream of wheat or grits packed in individual servings, dried beans, dried pastas, and dried milk may be donated, according to Alton Odom, director of The Food Bank, Inc.
The Food Bank requests that the following items not be donated: cake mixes, pie fillings, soft drinks, jello and pudding mixes, jams, jellies, sugar, spices, coffee, tea, cooking oil, vinegar and all other condiments.
Roberts said libraries throughout the United States offer these special amnesty events as a way to boost staff morale, allow patrons to relieve their debt to the library, and to benefit the community.
The Statesboro Regional Library will hold “Food for Fines” starting Friday and running through Saturday, Feb. 16. During that time library patrons may bring in one canned good in exchange for $1 in regular overdue fines on library materials. Up to $5 in fines will be forgiven.
Library Director Lois Roberts said, “The ‘Food for Fines’ program is our Valentine’s gift to the community and to The Food Bank, Inc. of Statesboro, which will receive all donations brought to the library. This is our third year for this special event and this year all five of our affiliated libraries will be participating at the same time, and various charities in those communities will benefit.”
The program provides library patrons with a way to reduce or eliminate overdue fines, and provides much-needed donations to The Food Bank, Inc. Donated goods apply only to fines, not lost or damaged materials or collections accounts.
Canned items such as soups, fruits and vegetables, beans, pasta dishes and meats are welcome, as well as rice, oatmeal, cream of wheat or grits packed in individual servings, dried beans, dried pastas, and dried milk may be donated, according to Alton Odom, director of The Food Bank, Inc.
The Food Bank requests that the following items not be donated: cake mixes, pie fillings, soft drinks, jello and pudding mixes, jams, jellies, sugar, spices, coffee, tea, cooking oil, vinegar and all other condiments.
Roberts said libraries throughout the United States offer these special amnesty events as a way to boost staff morale, allow patrons to relieve their debt to the library, and to benefit the community.