Good News: Library kicks off Food for Fines

     Mid-Continent Public Library’s biannual Food for Fines program will be held from Monday, May 9, through Sunday, May 15. During the weeklong initiative, MCPL customers will have the chance to donate nonperishable food items in place of money to pay off overdue fines or replacement card charges.
     Customers with no fines or fees can also donate to “pay it forward” toward another customer’s fees. Following the completion of the program, the food will be given to charitable organizations across the Kansas City metro.
     MCPL offers the Food for Fines program twice a year—leading into the summer to encourage active participation in the annual Summer Library Program, which this year will begin on May 31, and in the fall to alleviate any barriers for students seeking resources at the Library. To date, the Library has collected more than 155,000 items for local charities through the program.
     In Grain Valley, donations will benefit Community Services League, a partner of the Grain Valley Assistance Council. 
     “Food for Fines is a great opportunity for Library customers to support their community by making donations that go directly to food pantries in their own neighborhood,” Stephen Chalmers, MCPL Excelsior Springs Branch Manager and Food for Fines coordinator said. “Plus, you can eliminate fines from your Library account or from a fellow customers.”
     Suggested donations include boxed meals, canned food, peanut butter, cereal, and pasta. Donations must not be expired, damaged, open, non-nutritious, or in a glass, plastic, or cardboard drink container. Each donated food item will count as $1 toward a customer’s fines and fees (up to $10).