St. Louis Public Library

CITY LIBRARY AND ST. LOUIS AREA FOODBANK'S POPULAR 'FOOD FOR FINES' PROGRAM RETURNS FOR SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The St. Louis Public Library and the St. Louis Area Foodbank are proud to announce that their popular "Food for Fines" program has returned for the seventh consecutive year.

The program, which runs through July 31, enables adult patrons to pay down their Library fines by donating canned goods and personal care items at any St. Louis Public Library location. For every item donated, $1 will be subtracted from overdue fines. A $25 limit applies to fines only—not to lost or damaged materials.

"Food for Fines" is the ideal way for patrons to get their Library card in good standing and give back to the community. Library users and staff were extremely generous in 2013, donating enough food for nearly 11,000 meals for the less fortunate in our community. This year's goal is to surpass that total. Once users pay down their fine, they have full access to all the life-enhancing materials and services the Library offers.

The St. Louis Public Library is honored to continue its partnership with the Foodbank in this vitally important effort. The Foodbank estimates that approximately 57,000 people rely upon its services every week; that's one-in-eight people in the bi-state region who are in need of food assistance. The St. Louis Area Foodbank is a nonprofit food distribution center. In 2013, it gathered and distributed more than 25 million pounds of food to food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and emergency feeding programs in Missouri and Illinois.

The most-needed items include:

* Canned Meat (ham, tuna, or chicken)

* Canned Fruit

* Rice & Beans (dry or canned)

* Pasta

* Macaroni & Cheese

* Canned Vegetables

* Plastic-Bottled Juices, Jellies & Baby Food

* Instant Mashed Potatoes

* Boxed Complete Meals

* Hot &Cold Cereal

* Beef Stew or Ravioli

* Canned Soup

* Baby Formula

* Canned Chili

* Powdered Milk

* Granola & Breakfast Bars

* Crackers

* Peanut Butter

* Boxed Fruit Snacks

* Condiments

PLUS

* Soap/Lotion

* Shampoo/Conditioner

* Toothpaste

* Toothbrushes

* Toilet Tissue

* Feminine Products

* Diapers

* Baby Products

No Glass Items, Please!

Even if patrons don't have fines, the Library will gladly accept donated items for the Foodbank through the end of July.

For more information, call 314-880-8759.

St. Louis Public Library

City of St. Louis