Have fines at Phoenix Public Library? Pay them off with canned goods

PHOENIX — Do you have fines at the Phoenix Public Library? Good news: You can pay them off with food.

Spokeswoman Lee Franklin said the library’s Food for Fines program aims to reduce fines while collecting food for two Phoenix-area food banks: St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and the Desert Mission Food Bank.

Lee said residents can bring in non-perishable, non-expired, canned goods to get some of the fines taken off of their accounts.

“Fifty cents will be applied to each item,” she said. “We will do a maximum of $75.”

The food banks are looking for items that are high in protein and have a long shelf life, she added.

The most wanted food drive items include tuna, peanut butter, beans, canned soup, stews or chilis, pasta, canned fruits or vegetables, rice, cereal and juice.

Perishable, expired, homemade or items that are beyond the sell-by date will not be accepted.

The program will start on Saturday and will continue through April 21.

“We typically raise 50,000 to 70,000 pounds of food,” Lee said.

Lee said the library will be collecting canned goods at all 17 locations. The locations can be found here.

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