Throughout December you can support the Cranbrook Food Bank and clear those pesky fines off your library account during the Cranbrook Public Library’s sixth annual Food for Fines campaign. All you have to do is bring along food instead of money on your next visit to the library.

“The generosity of the residents of Cranbrook is well known,” said Ursula Brigl, chief librarian. “With Food for Fines, the library offers people a chance to do something for those struggling to make ends meet, clear their account, and keep a bit of extra cash to use on something else.”

Every item of non-perishable food in is worth up to $1 of fines. For example, a $4.60 fine costs five items.

There are a few things to keep in mind:

– only overdue fines can be paid with food, all other charges still need money;

– the actual value of an item is not used;

– bring only unopened, pre-packaged food;

– no glass containers or damaged packaging, including dented cans;

– no perishable or expired food;

– no condiments such as ketchup or mustard.

Here are some ideas for what you can bring in:

– Canned items such fruit or vegetables, meat or fish, soups or stews, pork and beans, pasta sauce;

– Packaged items like macaroni and cheese, cereal, pasta, crackers, rice, dry beans, dried fruit, nuts;

– Jars of jam, peanut butter and other spreads.

This December, take the opportunity to do something that benefits both you and others, pay off your fines with food. Of course, you can also donate food even if you don’t have any fines. The library will make sure it all gets to the Cranbrook Food Bank.

Cranbrook Public Library

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