Food for Fines Program Collects More Than 2,500 Items for Families in Need

• 29 January 2025
• Category: SJC News Public Library System
• Tags: 2025

St. Johns County Public Library patrons were exceptionally generous over the holiday season, donating more than 2,500 nonperishable food items for St. Johns County’s Health and Human Services Food Pantry through Food for Fines. The annual Food for Fines program enables patrons to donate food to local families in need while helping to reduce their own overdue fines during the holiday season.

“It’s a real benefit to the community we serve to have the Food for Fines program,” said Tracy Dillon, social services manager for St. Johns County. “The food donated by library patrons replenishes our dwindling food supplies and allows us to operate our food pantry for nearly the whole year.”

Health and Human Services provides a wide variety of services throughout the year for approximately 10,000 clients in St. Johns County.

“Since we first implemented Food for Fines in 2009, the community has really gotten behind the program. It’s even supported by our patrons who don’t have fines,” said Debra Rhodes Gibson, St. Johns County Library System Director. “We’re thrilled that we were able to offer our patrons $2 off their fines for each item of food donated and help their generous donations go a little further.”

Food for Fines is one of several collaborative programs that the St. Johns County Public Library System participates in with other county departments, extending its reach to St. Johns County residents. To learn more about the library system and its programming, visit www.sjcpls.org.