The Food for Fines program at the Rabun County Public Library during December was a successful event, according to Library Manager Dyana Costello Banks.
“With the success of Food for Fines, we plan on doing it again next year,” Banks said. “[It’s] to support our local community.”
For the program, patrons could pay overdue fines with canned food. Each canned or non-perishable food item with an unexpired “used-by” date donated paid for up to $1 in overdue fines.
“We did have a number of people who did not owe money still donate food so we could give everything to the local food pantry,” Banks said.
James Brim, manager of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Mountain Branch, said that 683 pounds of food were donated from the event.
“It has helped a lot of people in the community,” Brim said about the fundraiser. “I think it’s awesome that the library is bringing in food to help people in the community. It’s all about helping people in the community.”
Brim said he hopes more patrons are utilizing the library and more children are getting opportunities to read and check out books.