Over 2,900 kilograms of food donated to charity

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher, today announced that over 2,900 kilograms of food was donated to charity as part of the Food for Fines initiative run by Libraries ACT last month.

The campaign encouraged library members to donate tins or packets of non-perishable food in exchange for fines being removed from their membership record. One tin or packet of non-perishable food equalled $2 worth of fines.

"Following the success of previous Food for Fines amnesties, a winter appeal was held this year for the month of June, with all food being donated to OzHarvest Canberra, which provides food to more than 60 charities across the ACT and Queanbeyan," the Chief Minister said.

"A total of 6,458 items were donated across Libraries ACT's nine branches, with three of the libraries - Dickson, Gungahlin and Woden - having over 1,000 items donated at each. Dickson Library received the highest figure with a total of 1,213 items donated.

The Chief Minister said the donation of food in lieu of fines has been a great way for Canberrans to contribute in a positive way to their community.

"I would like to thank the community for once again supporting this important initiative and for helping make the cold/harsher months of Canberra a little easier for those in need.

"Once again, there were many examples of generosity within the community with people donating more items than required for their fines and people donating even if they didn't have any fines.

"As of 1 July 2012, a new penalty system was put into place at Libraries ACT for those people who don't do the right thing and return their library items, replacing the old fines system.

"While we will no longer be able to run a Food for Fines campaign, Libraries ACT will continue to hold an annual charity appeal in support of OzHarvest ACT," the Chief Minister concluded.