Library hosts fine food-raiser

With 1,101 food items collected, this year’s Food for Fines has almost doubled last year’s collection, said Ingrid Draayer, head of Carleton library services.

 

Food for Fines, which wrapped up March 30, is a week-long initiative that allows students to waive $2 of their library fines for every non-perishable food item they bring in, up to $20.

 

This year’s campaign involving 254 people waived a total of $1,908 in fines.

 

“We think that more people are aware of [Food for Fines] this year,” said Genevieve Leroux, co-ordinator for patron accounts in the circulation department of the Carleton library. “There were always a couple hundred people donating over the last couple of years. This year we seem to be doing better.”

 

All food collected is donated to the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) Food Centre, which supplies around 40 to 50 students per month with necessities, said Matt Hollingshead, programming co-ordinator for the Food Centre.

 

Hollingshead said the centre was a satellite member of the Ottawa Food Bank, and received weekly deliveries from the main branch.

 

He says that due to the recession, the food bank has been receiving fewer donations.

 

“We have seen our own supply drop over the last year or so due to the recession,” Hollingshead said. “Something like Food for Fines, which is run for us exclusively, is a big help.”

 

He said the 300 food items collected by day four are equivalent to a week’s delivery from the Ottawa Food Bank.

 

Food for Fines is in its third year, and is held by the university library in co-ordination with CUSA and Circle of Friends, a community group of library enthusiasts.

 

“When a student comes to us, we try to provide three days of food,” Hollingshead said. “Therefore [community initiatives] make a huge impact. There is always a need.”