Waive fines with food this December

The Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) has partnered once again with Geelong Food Relief Centre for their annual Food for Fines appeal.

Kicking off November 26 and running until Friday December 14, the GRLC (part of a worldwide network of libraries supporting the Food for Fines concept) will waive library fines in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items.

The food donated at library branches will be passed on to the Geelong Food Relief Centre who assist individuals and families enduring personal hardship through their emergency food relief program.

Geelong Regional Library corporation chair Cr Ron Nelson said the initiative is a great way to help locals doing it tough and
return overdue books you may have been avoiding.

“If you have been keeping away from the library because of your overdue fines then here is your chance to get back to visiting your local branch and borrowing books again,” he said.

“At the same time, you will have the opportunity to donate generously to support local people who are experiencing food insecurity.”

The Geelong Food Relief Centre is a notfor- profit organisation assisting individuals and families in need through the delivery of nutritious food.

The demand for emergency relief continues to grow across the greater Geelong region, and it is anticipated

around 37,000 individuals will be assisted with emergency food relief throughout our region during 2018/19.

The festive season is a particularly busy period for the organisation, the GRLC Food for Fines appeal saw almost two tonnes of food donated by library members last year alone.

Cr Nelson said he hoped to see the community get behind this year’s appeal once again.

“In previous years our library members have proved to be extremely generous in their donations, and we look forward to seeing high levels of support again in 2018.”

Library members can make a food donation at any Geelong Regional Library branch during the appeal period; food products should have an expiration date of May 2019 or later.

Fines for damaged or lost items are not included in this campaign; please speak with our friendly library staff if you have
damaged or lost items – they will be happy to assist.

Geelong Food Relief Centre indicates there is currently demand for the following items: tuna, assorted condiments, cake mix, pasta/pasta sauce, dry biscuits, noodles, dried fruit, flour, and tea/coffee, UHT milk and sauces.