Food For Fines Was Successful

The St. Louis Public Library is pleased to announce that its partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to present “Food for Fines” was an overwhelming success! From July 13 through 26, adults paid down their fines by bringing in canned goods to St. Louis Public Library locations throughout the city. For every item brought in, up to $1 was subtracted from overdue fines. Some only owed 10 cents, but they still brought in the food! Food barrels were filled up several times at many locations. Overall, Library patrons turned in 5,322 cans of food! According to the St. Louis Area Foodbank, those cans translate into a product donation of 9,240 pounds that will provide 7,392 meals for the area’s needy.

The “Food for Fines” program was a great way to serve the community. It was also an excellent way for our adult patrons to reduce fines, or clear their Library card record so they can resume using St. Louis Public Library’s many resources, services, and computers. Patrons at all of our locations participated, including individuals who did not owe fines but wanted to contribute to the cause.

The Library is proud to have partnered with the St. Louis Area Foodbank in this effort. The St. Louis Area Foodbank is a nonprofit food distribution center for organizations that feed hungry people in 14 eastern Missouri and 12 southwestern Illinois counties.

Thanks St. Louis for making “Food for Fines” a winning endeavor in so many different ways!

For more information, call the Library’s Customer Service Department at 314-539-0342.

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8/15/2008