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Food for Fines 2011
 From November 27 through December 4, 2011, your hometown libraries are holding our annual Food for Fines food drive. Come join the fight against hunger in Oklahoma, and we’ll waive your library fines!
Although starvation may seem like a distant concern to some, Oklahoma is the fifth hungriest state in America. According to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, more than 600,000 Oklahomans struggle with hunger. To give that figure perspective, imagine the entire populations of Oklahoma City and Lawton worrying that they will not eat tomorrow. According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, less than 20% of households experiencing hunger are classified as unemployed. The majority are made up of the working poor, the disabled, or retired persons. One in four children are at risk of hunger, forcing many parents to skip meals so that their children will have enough to eat.
If you or your family struggle with hunger, there are resources available to help you. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma works with hundreds of partner agencies throughout central and western Oklahoma. Find a partner agency in your area. You might qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
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If you'd like to help people in your own community who are struggling with hunger, why not contribute to Food for Fines?
Participation is simple. For every dollar of library fines on your account, bring one can, box, or bag of non-expired, non-perishable, unopened, and undamaged food to your hometown library. Present your donations and library card at the circulation desk and staff will waive fines up to $20! However, donations will not count toward lost item charges or Unique Management fees associated with debt collection.
Of course, any donations will gladly be accepted, so if you do not have fines on your account, you can still make a donation!
Organizations who will receive and distribute donations vary by library location as follows:
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