WestChesterBuzz.com

The MidPointe Library System is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.

The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.

“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.

The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.

MidPointe first launched the Food For Fines program last year and the 2011 campaign resulted in almost $6,000 in forgiven fines and more than 7000 items donated to local charitable organizations.

“Food For Fines was huge last year and we are very excited MidPointe is offering this important project again,” EMA Food Pantry coordinator Debra Shane said.

The Food For Fines program is not the only way the library system will be giving back to the community this holiday season. The MidPointe Library West Chester Young Adult Board will be sponsoring a “giving tree” to benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County. Patrons can find more information at the Youth Services Desk of the MidPointe Library West Chester or by calling 513-777-3131. The MidPointe Library System also hosts Toys for Tots drop boxes at all their locations through Dec. 16.

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This holiday season, the West Chester Library Teen Young Adult Board will be sponsoring a giving tree to benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County.

Library patrons will be encouraged to participate in the charity drive, which begins Friday and ends Dec. 22.

For more information, contact the Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library or by calling 513-777-3131.

The Teen Young Adult Board members volunteer with multiple children’s programming events at the library and meet monthly to plan teen events. The group is open to students in seventh grade through high school.

Furthermore, the Middletown Public Library System will be sponsoring a “Food For Fines” program starting Monday and running through Dec. 31. For each non-perishable item a patron donates, one dollar of outstanding fines will be forgiven.

“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” Library Director Anita Carroll said.

The Middletown Public Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations. Among these is Reach Out Lakota, an organization that has seen a 20 percent increase in the number of families requiring assistance as the holiday season approaches.

“The Food For Fines program will provide much needed canned meats, canned fruits and cereal among other items to be distributed and consumed during the coming months. We are very grateful to library patrons and staff for their generosity,” said Lourdes A. Ward, executive director of Reach Out Lakota.

Canned goods, boxed mixes, toiletries and paper goods are all welcome donations. Donated items can be used for up to five dollars worth of fines. Fees for lost or damaged materials cannot be forgiven through this program.

The West Chester Library is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

For more library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

Posted in: Events, Library events |

Tags: Tags: Animal Friends Humane Society, Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County, Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Food For Fines, Food For Fines West Chester Library, holiday drive West Chester, Reach Out Lakota, West Chester Christmas, West Chester library events, West Chester Library Teen Young Adult Board