St. Louis Public Library

2015 Food for Fines

Help the St. Louis Area Foodbank during the month of July

July 2, 2015 | 2 min reading time

This article is 9 years old. It was published on July 2, 2015.

St. Louis Public Library logo celebration 150th anniversary
Photo by John Koniak, St. Louis Public Library Title: St. Louis Public Library logo celebrating 150th anniversary
Source: John Koniak, St. Louis Public Library

CITY LIBRARY AND ST. LOUIS AREA FOODBANK CELEBRATE EIGHT 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 eighth consecutive year.

The program, which runs July 1 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 2014, donating 13,751 pounds of food, which provided 11,225 meals for the less fortunate in our community. Our goal is to better that total this year. Once users pay off 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. It estimates that one-in-eight people in the Bi-State Region are in need of food assistance.

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.

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