This holiday season the Sonoma County Library is partnering with local food banks to offer a Food For Fines program. Local partners include the Redwood Empire Food Bank, Friends in Sonoma Helping and the Healdsburg Food Pantry.

The Food For Fines programs encourages library patrons to return overdue library materials and pay off accrued library fines by donating food to those in need. The donation of one unit of food will erase ALL fines from past due items for one account (note: food donations cannot be applied towards lost/damaged library items or collection agency fees – only fines). Patrons can give to the community and get their library account back in good standing as we close out the 2016 year.

The Food For Fines program will begin on Tuesday, December 6^th and run through Friday, December 30^th . Food donation barrels will be found at all Sonoma County Library Branches.  According to the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB), the most needed non-perishable items are:

-       Tuna & Canned Meat

-       Peanut Butter

-       Low-Sodium Canned Soups & Chili

-       Rice & Dry Beans

-       No-Sugar Added Canned Fruits

-       Low-Sodium Canned Vegetables

-       Granola Bars

-       Cereal

Also, the REFB recommends the following guidelines when donating food:

-       No glass, which can break

-       Check that items are still within their “use before” date

-       All items should be unopened, opened packages will not be accepted

-       Home-made or home-canned items are not accepted

By stopping by your local library and participating in the Food For Fines program, library patrons will be joining thousands of Sonoma County businesses, individuals, and organizations helping to end hunger in our community by donating food.