City Library's "Food For Fines 2013"

City Library and St. Louis Area Foodbank Mark Six Years of Helping the Hungry With "Food for Fines" Program

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 sixth 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 patrons and staff were extremely generous in 2012, donating more than 14,000 canned goods and personal care items for the less fortunate in our community. Our goal is to better that total this year. Once users pay down their fine, they're free to use all the materials and services the Library has to offer.

The Library is pleased to continue its partnership with the Foodbank in this important effort. The St. Louis Area Foodbank is a nonprofit food distribution center that gathers and distributes more than 13 million pounds of food each year 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 314-206-6779.