Tulare County Library's "Food For Fines" Stocks Foodlink Pantries for the Holidays

The semi-annual "Food for Fines" program sponsored by the Tulare County Library recently donated food items for county residents in need to Foodlink for distribution throughout the county.

During the month of November, anyone who brought in non-perishable food items to any branch of the Tulare County Library had their fines reduced or eliminated.  The library forgave $6,394.67 in fines for donors to the program.  In addition, many library patrons made food or cash donations without having fines on their library accounts.
        
Foodlink will restock the pantries of food banks throughout the county with the donations.  Items collected from the fifteen branches will be distributed in each branch*s local community and surrounding areas. "Food for Fines" is a joint effort held twice a year by the library and Foodlink. The next "Food for Fines" will be held in
April.
                                                                     

Tulare County Library Holding "Food For Fines" Event

All Tulare County Library branches are participating in the library's semi-annual "Food for Fines" program during the month of November.

Tulare County library patrons who donate will have $1.00 of what they owe for overdue fines, expired holds or card replacements forgiven for each item. There is no limit to the amount of fine reduction, but it cannot be used to pay for lost or damaged items or processing fees.

Non-perishable food items and bottled water are being accepted, and any library staff member can accept the donations. All items will be given to Foodlink for Tulare County at the end of November. The food and water will be picked up by Foodlink and used to restock the pantries of food banks throughout the county. Items collected from the fifteen branches will be distributed in each branch's local community and surrounding areas.

"Food for Fines" is held semi-annually in the months of November and April. Library patrons can bring their books and donations November 1-29 to any of the following library branches: Alpaugh, Dinuba, Earlimart, Exeter, Ivanhoe, Lindsay, Orosi, Pixley, Springville, Terra Bella, Three Rivers, Tipton, Visalia and Woodlake. Non-perishable food items and bottled water will be gratefully accepted from anyone wishing to donate them, whether a fine is due or not. Last April, the library collected over 3600 pounds of food and forgave fines or collected cash donations of more than $4600.

Tulare County Library "Food For Fines" Event Another Success

The semi-annual "Food for Fines" program sponsored by the Tulare County Library raised 3,661 pounds of food items to benefit county residents in need. The food was donated to Foodlink for distribution throughout the county.

During the month long event, anyone who brought in non-perishable food items to any branch of the Tulare County Library had their fines reduced or eliminated. The library forgave $4642.22 in fines for donors to the program, more than the amount forgiven in the first drive last November. In addition, many library patrons made food or cash donations without having fines on their library accounts.

Foodlink will use the items to restock the pantries of food banks throughout the county.  Items collected from the fifteen branches will be distributed in each branch's local community and surrounding areas.

"Food for Fines" is a team effort sponsored twice a year by the library and Foodlink. The next "Food for Fines" will be held in November.