The Monmouth County Library Commission donated 11,494 cans of food and other non-perishable items to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties as the result of its recent Food for Fines program held throughout the 13 branches of the county-wide system in conjunction with Monmouth County’s annual food drive.
“I am so happy our library users could make this happen in such a grand amount,” said Renee B. Swartz, who chairs the commission. “While it would be so much more advantageous for the library to actually be able to collect fines for delinquent items, at least in this instance, we are able to help an organization that aids people within the county.”
The program, a Monmouth County Library tradition for eight of the past nine years, enabled library patrons to bring one can of food or other non-perishable item such as necessary home products for every dollar in delinquent fines on books and all other materials, included DVDs and CDs, according to a press release from the county.
In addition to enabling library users to eliminate any fines they have incurred, the program also successfully got these items back on the shelves so they can be used by others, according to the press release.
Many users responded to the unique method of compensation, Acting Director Judi Tolchin said, while at the same time helping the food bank which is always in need of support.