If you’re looking for a way to give back this holiday season, your Library and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee have an opportunity for you! We’re partnering to offer Food for Fines, a fine-forgiveness initiative for people with overdue library fines and fees.
From November 3-December 15, you can drop off unexpired canned goods and nonperishable food items at the Library to have your fines waived. All the items collected will be donated to Second Harvest.
We will deduct $2 in fines for each eligible item you donate. No fines are too large, and all materials are eligible. The only charges that can’t be waived are replacement fees for lost or damaged items.
The Library is always looking for creative ways to partner with other organizations that have a positive impact on our patrons. Public Experience Manager Selena Harmon says, “Partnering with Second Harvest signifies both organizations’ commitment to supporting the community in meaningful and impactful ways.”
The impact will be felt both by Library patrons, who can reduce their overdue fines, and by neighbors experiencing hunger in our community whose access to food is currently more uncertain than usual.
Second Harvest Food Bank suggests donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned goods, macaroni and cheese, and dry goods like rice, beans, and pasta. All items must carry their original packaging and labels.
We can’t accept glass jars, home-canned food, expired products, packaging with holes, or baby formula.
To participate, simply bring your donations to the Library’s Circulation Desk. Library staff will inspect the items and then apply them toward your fines.
For more details about Food for Fines, call the Library at (423) 434-4450.
Learn about the important work Second Harvest Food Bank does in our community.
Follow Johnson City Public Library on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates about Library programs, collections, and services.
More News
