Food for Fines: Nov. 15 - Dec. 15

As the economy and holiday season tighten budgets, library customers can reduce their library fees while helping friends and neighbors who struggle to afford food.  Mid-Columbia Libraries is holding a “Food for Fines” campaign November 15 – December 15 to benefit local food banks during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. 

Library customers can reduce their overdue fines by $1 for each donated food item, up to a limit of $10/10 food items.  Food will be accepted for fines on returned library items only – not for collection, processing, or replacement fees for lost items.  Charitable food donations beyond the $10/10 item limit will be accepted, but will not apply toward library fines.  Food items must be non-perishable, labeled, undamaged, and un-expired.  Homemade goods will not be accepted.

Customers can donate food at all eleven Mid-Columbia Libraries branches and the Bookmobile.  Food donated at each library will stay local to benefit the community in which the food is collected.  Food bank beneficiaries include 2nd Harvest Tri-Cities, Basin City Help Services, Benton City Food Bank, Othello Food Bank, Connell Food Bank, Kahlotus Food Bank, and Jubilee Ministries Prosser Food Bank. 

“We join libraries across the nation in hosting ‘Food for Fines’ drives to generate goodwill in our communities, and to provide local charities and food banks with increased supplies during their busiest times of the year.  ‘Food for Fines’ allows repayment in a way that does the most good for neighbors,” said Kyle Cox, Administrative Services Director for Mid-Columbia Libraries.

MORE: Mid-Columbia Libraries enriches our communities by empowering individuals with materials and services for life-long learning and growth, starting at birth. With eleven libraries and a Bookmobile, Mid-Columbia Libraries has provided our region with excellence in library services for 60 years.