Food for Fines Returns at Library

The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library will once again observe National Library Week by accepting food as payment for fines from April 8 through 14 at all library locations. Every year, the library teams up with Linn Benton Food Share to collect food for those in need. Patrons can pay down their library fines with donations of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, peanut butter, dried beans, and boxed meals.

The library will reduce fines by $1 per donated item, up to a maximum of $5 per patron. All food collected will go to Linn Benton Food Share, an organization that has been feeding those in need in Linn and Benton counties for over 30 years.

“Staff and patrons really enjoy this food drive,” said Circulation Supervisor Shaun Hearn, who coordinates the drive each year. “It’s fun to reduce someone’s fines for a donation to Food Share. And we’re happy to accept donated food, even if you don’t have fines!”

Hearn confirmed that people sometimes pay other people’s fines with donated food. “Some patrons like to pay it forward, and that’s okay with us.”