Library 'Food For Fines' Drive Huge Hit In Loudoun County

LEESBURG, VA—In quite the interesting way to let patrons pay off overdue fines, the Loudoun County Public Library system collected 15,500 pounds of food and waived $15,100 in fees during its third annual "Food for Fines" drive, nearly doubling the totals for 2018. During the one-week campaign April 8-14, cardholders could pay off $1 in fines for every unopened, nonperishable food item donated.

By the end of the drive, 499 boxes packed with food had piled up in the halls of the library’s administration office. All donations went to Loudoun Hunger Relief, Loudoun County’s largest food pantry.

Said Erika Huddleston, associate director of Loudoun Hunger Relief, in a release: "Having a drive this time of year is really beneficial, because it gives us the chance to stock up before summer." Loudoun Hunger Relief representatives said they typically have their highest demand in summer, when families with school-age children sometimes need extra support in lieu of school-based meal services.

Last year, the Food for Fines drive generated 8,908 pounds of food for Loudoun Hunger Relief, with$8,600 in overdue fees waived from the accounts of library users.

This year’s drive was organized by Christyna Hunter, a Lovettsville Library staff member, and Karen Warner, from Purcellville Library’s circulation department. All nine LCPL branches participated in Food for Fines, with the most fines waived at Cascades Library and
Ashburn Library — $2,853 and $2,783, respectively.