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Cans for Fines initiative benefits communityLibrary users in Latrobe City donated more than five-hundred food items to the Salvation Army for distribution throughout Latrobe City during the holiday season. By news@gippsland - 24th December 2003 - Back to News The donations were part of an innovative ‘Cans for Fines’ campaign conducted by the Latrobe City Library Service, where $2 was deducted from any overdue library fines for every can or non-perishable food item that customers donated.
Manager Citizen Services, Peggy Stevenson, said library customers had been very receptive to the idea of reducing or wiping out their overdue fines while also contributing to the greater good of their community. "In addition to the food items, cash, and three large laundry baskets to be used as hampers were donated," Ms Stevenson said.
"The donated items resulted in over $880 in overdue fines being reduced or eliminated from library customer records. Many customers with no overdue fines still got into the spirit of the program by making food or cash donations," Ms Stevenson explained.
Councillor Darrell White, who presented the donations on behalf of the Library to the Salvation Army, praised the Library Service initiative and thanked those who had made donations during the campaign.
"For community services such as that which the Salvation Army runs, Christmas and New Year places a huge additional burden on their resources. It’s great that some lateral thinking on behalf of the Library Service, some Christmas spirit and a great deal of local generosity has resulted in a substantial donation to those resources," Cr White said.
Ms Stevenson added that due to the success of the program, the Library Service is already anticipating offering a similar program leading into next year’s Christmas holiday.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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