Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library will be running a Summer Food for Fines Program from July 1st.—July 31st.  This program will be run in conjunction with the Library’s Summer Reading Club, “Reading is So Delicious,” Food Drive to help libraries across California in collecting 10,000 lbs. of food for those in need. Patrons will be able to clear up to $20.00 in fines per card by bringing in nutritious, non-perishable food such as canned vegetables, tuna, and dried pasta. Each item will count for $1.00 worth of fines. Expensive items, such as canned hams and powdered infant formula, will count for $5.00 worth of fines. Food may not be used to pay off collection accounts, fees, or damaged materials’ charges.

All food will be donated to Interfaith Community Services in Escondido. Interfaith distributes food to needy families facing dire circumstances throughout the North County area. Richard Batt, Executive Director of Interfaith Community Services states, “…In our latest reports we see a 17% increase in families seeking emergency help. Your donation directly helps the people in our community who are suffering.”

Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street in Escondido. Contact the library at 760-839-4684, or go to library.escondido.org or https://library.escondido.org/SRC-food-drive.aspx.

Escondido Public Library’s Holiday Food for Fines Program will begin on Monday, November 19th, and run through Saturday, December 22nd. The Library’s reinvigorated program will permit patrons to clear up to $15.00 in fines from their records. Proceeds will benefit Interfaith Community Services in Escondido.  Interfaith distributes the food to needy families throughout the North County area.
 
Expensive items such as canned hams and powdered infant formula will count for up to $5.00 worth of fines per item.  Nonperishable items such as canned vegetables, tuna fish, and dried pasta will count for up to $1.00 worth of fines per item.
 
Non-nutritious items such as candy and chips; damaged cans/containers; and food which has passed its expiration date will not be accepted in lieu of fines.  Food may only be used to clear fines—not for lost or damaged books or for City Attorney Fees.
 
Many patrons bring in food just to help those in need and the Library is happy to accept any donations whether or not they are fine-related. For further information, contact Escondido Public Library at 760-839-4684.

Escondido Public Library’s Holiday Food for Fines Program, concluded on December 31st, 2011, was the library’s most successful food drive program to date. 132 boxes of food and several blankets were collected, benefitting Interfaith Community Services in Escondido.

Interfaith Community Services’ Basic Needs Program operates a food pantry at its Escondido headquarters, providing dry goods to families in need. Normally, the program serves 60 families a day, but during the holidays numbers can rise to as high as 90 families daily. Interfaith staff stated they rely on the Library’s biannual food drives to augment other donations received throughout the year. The added donations help so that they do not have to turn anyone away.

The library’s program allows patrons to save money by clearing or reducing fines with food donations during the holiday drive. Even though this has been a difficult year economically for many, generous patrons brought in extra food just to help those in need and many brought in food even though they did not owe the library any fines.

Escondido Public Library will conduct its Summer Food for Fines Program during the month of July. For more information on upcoming library programs and events, visit the library’s website at http://library.escondido.org, or call 760-839-4684 for information.

Escondido Public Library’s Holiday Food for Fines Program will begin on Monday, November 28th, and run through Saturday, December 31st. Patrons may clear up to $15.00 in fines from their records. Proceeds will benefit Interfaith Community Services in Escondido.  Interfaith distributes the food to needy families throughout the North County area.

Expensive items such as canned hams and powdered infant formula will count for up to $5.00 worth of fines per item.  Nonperishable items such as canned vegetables, tuna fish, and dried pasta will count for up to $1.00 worth of fines per item.

Non-nutritious items such as candy and chips; damaged cans/containers; and food which has passed its expiration date will not be accepted in lieu of fines.  Food may only be used to clear fines—not for lost or damaged books or for City Attorney Fees.

Many patrons bring in food just to help those in need and the Library is happy to accept any donations whether or not they are fine-related. For further information, contact Escondido Public Library at 760-839-4684