Campus & Community

Donate Food to Reduce Your Library Fines

Monday, November 27, 2023, By Cristina Hatem

Syracuse University Libraries is once again offering an end-of-semester opportunity for students to reduce their library fines while doing good for others.

Cans of soup and other canned goods stacked on a shelf.

Students can reduce their library fines while doing good for others during the “Food for Fines” program, which runs Dec. 4 through the end of the Fall 2023 semester.

“Food for Fines” will run from Monday, Dec. 4 through the end of the Fall 2023 semester. All Libraries patrons with overdue circulation fines can reduce their fines by donating healthy, nonperishable food and hygiene items. Donations will be accepted at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and King + King Architecture Libraries.

All food items will be donated to the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry. Fine reductions exclude interlibrary loan and lost book fees. Don’t have a current fine? You can still contribute!

Contributions should not be open or expired and single-use items are preferred. Students can have their fines reduced by $1 per item for:

  • Toilet paper, lip balm, rice, pasta, canned vegetables/fruits/beans and pasta sauce.

Fines will be reduced by $2 per item for:

  • Liquid soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, cereal and canned meats/fish.

Fines will be reduced by $3 per item for:

  • Lotion, oatmeal, canned soup/baked beans, peanut butter/jelly, tea, hot chocolate, ramen noodles and granola.

Fines will be reduced by $4 per item for:

  • Shampoo/conditioner, deodorant and coffee.

For more information about “Food for Fines,” contact Nick Olivieri at naolivie@syr.edu.