Community Corner
Overdue Library Book? Donate Non-Perishable Food and All is Forgiven
Donated food will benefit needy families in San Mateo County.
By Bay City News
San Mateo County residents' overdue library books will become
opportunities to help out hungry families as the county library system launches its "Food for Fines" program.
Throughout December, San Mateo County library patrons can settle fines from overdue books or DVDs with donations of non-perishable food instead of cash, according to library services personnel.
"There is a growing need for feeding the hungry in San Mateo County," county Supervisor Carole Groom said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to provide for those in need in our community, while clearing up fines and resuming greater use of our outstanding library system."
Groom encouraged anyone, regardless of whether they owe library fines, to donate food at their local library to help needy families this holiday season.
The "Food for Fines" program is a partnership among the county board of supervisors, the Daly City, Redwood City, San Mateo and San Mateo
County libraries and the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Last year, the food drive netted 25,331 pounds of food - enough to feed 1,053 families for a week, according to county library personnel.
The program also earned the San Mateo County Library the Second Harvest Food Bank's "Outside the Barrel" award, which recognizes innovative and creative food drive efforts.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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