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thelibrary.org Springfield-Greene County Library District Springfield, Missouri

2013 Food For Fines Program Collects Almost 4 Tons of Food

February 7, 2013 — Springfield-Greene County Library District patrons donated 7,433 pounds – almost 4 tons – of nonperishable food and hygiene items to Ozarks Food Harvest during The Library’s Food For Fines campaign Jan. 27-Feb. 2.

In this fourth “fine amnesty week,” patrons received a 50-cent discount on their overdue fine balance for each item of nonperishable food they donated at the libraries for Ozarks Food Harvest. As a result, the library district forgave about $3,821 in fines. Since 2010, Food For Fines has collected almost 32,000 pounds of food.

“We were all smiles here at Ozarks Food Harvest when we saw that our local libraries packed an entire box truck full of food donations,” said Lindsey Neddenriep, public relations and event management coordinator at Ozarks Food Harvest.

“So far, it’s the largest food drive of 2013, and we expect it to be in the top five by the end of the year. The drive really comes at a great time for us, as food drives tend to drop after the holiday season. The food collected will help provide more than 6,000 meals to our Ozarks neighbors in need, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who participated.”

Library Executive Director Regina Greer Cooper thanked library patrons for supporting the project at all 10 library branches and the Bookmobile.

"One of our Library's values is 'synergy,' and the collaboration that goes into Food For Fines creates great synergy. It's a wonderful way for the Library to work with Ozarks Food Harvest while giving our patrons an opportunity to help themselves and help others in the Ozarks," Cooper said.

Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 250 nonprofit agencies across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes 10 million meals annually to 170,000 unduplicated individuals. OFH celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2013. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.


PRESS CONTACTS

Vickie Hicks
Community Relations Director
vickieh@thelibrary.org
(417) 616-0564
Morgan Shannon
Copywriter
morgans@thelibrary.org
(417) 616-0566

Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/press/article.cfm?aid=2190&view=print


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