Food for Fines Returns May 1–May 7!

Mid-Continent Public Library’s Food for Fines program is back! The biannual program will return Monday, May 1, through Sunday, May 7. During the weeklong initiative, MCPL customers will have the chance to donate nonperishable food items in place of money to pay off overdue fines or replacement card charges.

Customers with no fines or fees are also encouraged to donate, and donations will be used to “pay it forward” toward another customer’s fines. Following the completion of the program, the food will be given to charitable organizations across the Kansas City metro.

MCPL offers the Food for Fines program twice a year—leading into the summer to encourage active participation in the annual Summer Library Program, and in the fall to alleviate any barriers for students seeking resources at the Library. To date, the Library has collected more than 165,000 items for local charities through the program.

Suggested donations include boxed meals, canned food, peanut butter, cereal, and pasta. Donations must not be expired, damaged, open, non-nutritious, or in a glass, plastic, or cardboard drink container. Each donated food item will count as $1 toward a customer's fines and fees (up to $10).

For more information about Food for Fines, including the full list of participating food pantries, visit mymcpl.org/FoodForFines.