The Food for Fines program at Beacon’s Howland Public Library is going on now through Friday, January 31. Library patrons can erase or reduce their library fines and help their neighbors in need at the same time. This program benefits local food pantries. Donated items must be nonperishable, labeled, undamaged, and unexpired. Food for Fines does not apply to fees for items that are lost, damaged or from other libraries. Donations cannot be applied to future fines.

Although the program is called Food for Fines, the library encourages you to donate personal-care items too, like tampons, adult diapers (Depends), and even new socks. People do a lot of walking, and it’s hard to do in run-down socks! Conveniently, Rite Aid is located almost across the street, where you can find a lot of these items!

These items will be donated to the Tiny Food Pantries and Beacon Community Kitchen. Items must be donated at the library's circulation desk to qualify for the Food for Fines program. St. Andrew’s food pantry has requested that when donating canned items, low-sodium items are preferred and items like peanut butter, tuna, canned chicken, and Parmalat milk are in demand. The library will be donating pasta and other staples like spices and broths to the Community Kitchen.