MORE than 2900 kilograms of food has been donated to charity as part of the Libraries ACT’s final “Food for Fines” initiative run last month.

As of July 1, a new penalty system will operate.

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,” Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said.

“A total of 6458 items were donated across Libraries ACT’s nine branches, with three of the libraries – Dickson, Gungahlin and Woden – having over 1000 items donated at each. Dickson Library received the highest figure with a total of 1213 items donated.”

“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.”