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Library Penance: Donated Food Wipes out Overdue Fines

Have an overdue book or DVD from the library? Clear your fines and help others by donating food to those in need during the month of December in the San Mateo County Library’s “Food For Fines” program.

Been meaning to return that stack of books or overdue CD or DVD to the library but just haven't gotten around to it?

Throughout the month of December, all 12 branches of the San Mateo County Library system will forgive overdue fines for those who bring back their borrowed materials accompanied by any amount of nonperishable boxed or canned food.

Simply stop in during regular library hours with your donation and library fines and fees will be waived.  All collected food is donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“There is a growing need for feeding the hungry in San Mateo County” said San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom.

Further, “This is a wonderful opportunity to provide food for those in need in our community, while clearing up fines and resuming greater use of our outstanding library system.”

She also encourages everyone in the community – whether or not they owe fines—to donate food at the library to help people in need this holiday season. 

Each year, Second Harvest Food Bank distributes more than 45.5 million pounds of nutritious food to low-income people in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Most are children and seniors. The millions of pounds of food are provided free to 326 local nonprofit agencies at more than 700 sites, including pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and after-school programs.

Food for Fines is a collaboration between the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, San Mateo County Library, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

The San Carlos Library is located at 610 Elm St. For more information, or for library hours, click here

The Belmont Library is located at 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas. For more information, or library hours, click here.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kris Robinson May 22, 2013 at 07:38 pm
Teachers who have specific projects that require funding can also put their projects up onRead More Donorschoose.org where anyone in the world can donate money to fund the project. This is a great way to get bigger-ticket wish-list type items (not for day to day supplies).
Tracy Plowman April 2, 2013 at 04:16 pm
Another great Grade K- 9 San Carlos camp is Learningtech.org, rich technology includes Science,Read More Technology, Math, Digital Arts and Engineering.
Holly Bell May 12, 2013 at 02:59 pm
If the city council likes fake plastic nature, then let them saran-wrap their own yards! LEAVE OURRead More PARKS ALONE!! This is soccer special interest pressure on city government at its worst, and the city council appears unwilling or unable to withstand it. Crestview Park is a particularly quiet, serene, simple park with lovely views which the council now wants to turn into a sports arena. Any day you can go there and see families playing on the grass, toddlers and moms enjoying picnics and play time, kids learning to ride their bikes on the nice flat paved area, athletes and older folks enjoying the flat natural track (the only one in San Carlos) to get in shape, teens throwing frisbees on the lawn. It is a perfect place for ALL residents to enjoy according to their needs, not a sports arena dedicated to one activity at the expense of all. Belmont faced a similar lack of sports venues, but they did not choose to pave paradise. They wisely raised money and built a sports complex and spared their beautiful parks for use by ALL residents. I would like to see our city council do the right thing also. And by the way, the opposition to this short-sighted plan is far more than "some residents"! Please visit our booth at Hometown Days.
Brenda May 9, 2013 at 04:10 am
One summer my kid had soccer camp on at an artificial turf field. It was terrible. It madeRead More everything hotter and very uncomfortable. I had to pull my kid out of camp early because of it. I do not think it is better for the environment OR for kids. Just go to any turf field and try to walk across it on a hot day. Try to go barefoot on it (good luck!) We have been told not to microwave plastic containers because of BPA and bad chemicals that can cause cancer. What about heating up plastic grass and running around on it, breathing the fumes that come off it?? How is that any different?
R. W. Dehner May 9, 2013 at 02:20 am
Artificial turf is appropriate for dedicated use sports venues, not for multi-use city parks.
Gordon cook April 15, 2013 at 11:30 am
Thanks for doing this. The one blatant thing I observe on a daily basis is the number and frequencyRead More of deputy's at Starbucks on 800 laurel street and the sky kitchen. I never see them in the neighborhoods. The police department was much better