The St. Tammany Parish Library is celebrating National Library Card Sign-Up Month with Food for Fines for the entire month of September.
This year’s theme for Library Card Sign-up Month is “Kickoff Your Imagination with a Library Card.” The theme combines the start of football season and how imagination is engaged by reading. Patrons can expect fun football décor and activities this month when they visit their local branch.
Food for Fines offers patrons the opportunity to erase their accrued fines with the donation of non-perishable food. One donated item will clear $1 worth of fines. At the end of this month, collected items will be distributed to several food banks across the parish. This program also recognizes that September is Hunger Action Month, a national awareness campaign about food insecurity.
Unopened and non-expired canned and dry pet food will also be accepted during Food for Fines. These donations will be brought to the St. Tammany Parish Government Department of Animal Services’ Pet Food Pantry. The pantry helps struggling pet owners care for their pets during tough financial times. These donations can often help owners keep their pets rather than surrendering them to the shelter.
Replacement card fees for lost or damaged cards are also waived during this month.