The City of Falls Church has announced the Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s annual “Food for Fines” initiative. The program provides patrons the opportunity to help those in need by donating non-perishable groceries as payment for fines on overdue items.  This year’s “Food for Fines” Week runs Monday, October 26 through Sunday, November 1.

“Food for Fines” is an opportunity for patrons to clear their records of library fines by donating food for local community organizations that work with the City’s Housing and Human Services Division to provide aid to families in the Falls Church City area. This optional program is a one-for-one exchange: a single grocery item (can of fruit, cake mix, etc.) will cover the fine for a single overdue item, including books, videos, DVDs, audiocassettes, or CDs. There is no limit on the number or amount of fines that can be cleared or the quantity of overdue materials that can be returned.  Bills for lost or damaged library materials cannot be paid by this program.

Glass jars, opened containers, bulging or damaged cans, items past their expiration date, or sample or trial sized-items, or any items needing refrigeration or freezing cannot be accepted for donation due to safety reasons.

For more information, please contact the Mary Riley Styles Public Library at 703-248-5030 or visit them on the Web at www.falls-church.lib.va.us.