Throughout September, the Santa Clarita Public Library, in partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, will be launching their first-ever Food for Fines program which allows patrons to donate one food item to waive up to $20 of overdue library fines or replacement card fees.

All of the donations will be turned over to the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, a local non-profit that works to collect and distribute donated foods to those in need in the community.

Each Santa Clarita Public Library branch will have a collection barrel set up at the circulation desk. Patrons are encouraged to donate as many food and non-food items as they want, however $20 is the maximum fee that will be waived per account.

“For one month, Food for Fines allows us to give patrons an additional way to settle overdue fines and replacement card fees that they may not otherwise be able to afford,” said City Librarian Kelly Behle. “Besides contributing to feeding our community, the program will help provide patrons access to library services who may at the moment feel like they can’t because of their fines.”

The Santa Clarita Public Library asks that patrons review the Needed Items list on The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry website (SCVFoodPantry.org), which lists out requested food and non-food items.

For more information about the Food for Fines program, please visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com or contact Santa Clarita Public Library Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, Stacy Schlesinger at (661) 799-6136 or email at SSchlesinger@santaclaritalibrary.com.