Clear up your overdue fines and do good for the community! The Library is partnering with Harvesters for Food for Fines Week, October 13-19, 2014. For each non-perishable food item donated at the Library, you get a $1 credit towards your existing fines.

The most-needed items include canned meat, peanut butter, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and boxed meals. Non-nutritional beverages such as soda and any beverages in glass containers will not be accepted. All the details are below. You can donate at any Kansas City Public Library location through Sunday, October 19, 2014.

What is Food for Fines? Food for Fines is an annual program that allows Library patrons to trade one nonperishable food item for one dollar in existing fines on their Library accounts.

Which fines/fees are forgiven? Non-perishable food items may be used for Kansas City Public Library accounts with existing overdue fines. Only overdue fines are eligible for this program.

Which fines/fees cannot be forgiven? Referral fees, lost or damaged item fees, replacement Library card fee, video and/or DVD rental fees, printing fees, flash drives, ear buds, Friends of the Library books for sale, Friends of the Library memberships, lost items owned by Consortium Libraries, lost items that are Interlibrary Loans.

Which food items are acceptable? Non-perishable food items in cans, boxes, or plastic containers, household and personal care items that are unopened. Pet food in boxes or cans. No glass containers may be accepted. Examples of acceptable items: canned vegetables, boxed dinners, canned juices, peanut butter, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toilet tissue, facial tissues, paper towels, cleaning supplies. Ramen noodles are acceptable. 4 packages of Ramen noodles equals one dollar in fines. Items in multi-packs are acceptable at $1 per item. i.e. A four-pack of paper towels equals $4 in forgiven fines. Bottled water in 8 oz. or greater containers is acceptable. SlimFast and other diet drinks are acceptable. Government issued food, i.e. peanut butter, welfare items, etc. are also acceptable.

Which food items are not acceptable? Perishable food items; glass containers of any kind; soda pop; candy and/or gum; cardboard drink containers; drink pouches; alcoholic beverages; items in damaged/rusty/open containers; items WITHOUT a nutrition label; items with a past due expiration date; homemade or home-canned items. Travel size containers of personal care items, i.e. toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, etc.

Who gets the food? Harvesters—The Community Food Network

What is Harvesters and what does it do with the food? Harvesters is Kansas City’s only food bank and was organized in 1979. Harvesters provides essential food resources for a network of over 620 charitable agencies such as emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and senior centers in 26 counties. Further information about Harvesters is available at harvesters.org or by calling 816.929.3000.

Can I donate even if I don’t have any fines? Yes.

Can the Library credit my account for future fines? No. Food for Fines is only for EXISTING fines on a Library account.