Oakland University’s Kresge Library to host ‘Food for Fines’ drive to support Gleaners Food Bank

OU’s Kresge Library to host ‘Food for Fines’ drive to support Gleaners Food Bank
Food for Fines at Kresge Library
For each non-perishable food item brought to the Circulation Desk at the Kresge Library between Nov. 28 and Dec. 12, the library will forgive $1 in overdue fines.

The Kresge Library at Oakland University is giving students and patrons an opportunity to do some good while reducing the fines they owe for overdue books.

 

“For each non-perishable food item brought to the Circulation Desk between Nov. 28 and Dec. 12, the library will forgive $1 in overdue fines,” said Tracy Macpherson, manager of circulation services and resource sharing at the Kresge Library.

“Students who owe no fines or fees can also drop off donations, which will we gladly accept.”

 

The canned and boxed foods collected during the “Food for Fines” campaign will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.

 

“Events like Food for Fines are so important to Gleaners because it gets the community involved and gives them a fun way to help their neighbors in need,” said Natalie Davidson, food and fund drive coordinator for Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.

 

Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties and provides food to 535 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies throughout southeastern Michigan.

 

According to the organization’s website, Gleaners collects approximately 34.5 million pounds of food a year and distributes 79,000 meals each day, including providing nourishing food and education to 84,700 children a year.

 

“Without the high-quality, free donations from food drives and campaigns like ‘Food for Fines,’ we wouldn’t be able to give out the amount and variety of food that we do,” Davidson said.

 

According to Macpherson, the library collected 166 pounds of non-perishable food items and provided approximately 138 meals to those in need during a “Food for Fines” drive held in April, and officials hope to surpass that amount during the upcoming campaign.

Food for Fines at Kresge Library
Kathleen Gordon, a student assistant at the Kresge Library at Oakland University, is gearing up for the "Food for Fines" campaign, which kicks off Nov. 28.

 

“Our goal is 250 pounds,” she said.

 

Donated items can be dropped at the Circulation Desk, which is located on the left just inside the main entrance.

 

“Those donations will help feed hungry people in our community this season,” said Stephen Weiter, dean of University Libraries at OU. “So participation in the Food for Fines event will reduce your library fines, and benefit our local communities. It’s a win-win situation.”

 

Suggested items to donate include:

 

  • Canned fruit (no heavy syrup)

 

  • Canned vegetables

 

  • Tuna fish

 

  • Peanut butter (in plastic jars)

 

  • Healthy cereal/oatmeal

 

  • Hearty soups, stews

 

  • Canned spaghetti or pasta

 

  • Beans (black, kidney, pinto or refried)

 

  • Canned meats (chicken, salmon)

 

  • Pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice

 

  • Pancake or baking mixes

 

  • Baby food or formula

 

Food items will not be accepted for lost items or book replacements.

 

For more information, visit gcfb.org/foodforfines or library.oakland.edu.

Food for Fines at Kresge Library