Pay off your library fines with food donations

Bringing back an overdue library book to one of Dalhousie University’s libraries and having trouble finding the cash to pay the fine?

Instead of paying the fine, bring a food item or make a donation that will go to the Dalhousie Food Bank.

For every non-perishable food item, the Dalhousie Libraries will reduce fines by $3 – up to a maximum $50.

”An item could be a can of soup or a bag or pasta,” says Marlo MacKay, Communications Coordinator for the libraries.

The food donations will be split between Feed Nova Scotia and the Dalhousie Student Union Food Bank.

“The idea is to provide another opportunity for students to reduce their overdue fines while helping the community at the same time,” says MacKay.

Last year, the Dalhousie Libraries collected 786 non-perishable food items, waiving $1,300 in fines.

“It began as a Dalhousie initiative and then it spread, so now it is a province-wide initiative,” says MacKay.

Since many students live in residence and may not have food items to donate, they can make cash donations.

Students can only reduce their fines with donations until Feb. 28.