The library’s food for fines program provides a chance to help feed needy families while eliminating fines due for items kept out too long.

The process is simple. Starting on Nov. 30 and continuing until Dec. 13, a patron brings two non-perishable food items to the library to cancel the fine for keeping one library item out beyond the turn-in date. The food collected is turned over to the Inter-Faith Community Services food bank for distribution to families in need.

The program can be a money-saver for a patron since the maximum overdue fine now is $5.

The food must be brought to the Englewood Public Library on the ground floor of the civic center at 1000 Englewood Parkway. Patrons taking part in the food for fines program are asked to turn in the donation to a staff member at the circulation desk to make sure the late charges are canceled.

The program does not extend to lost or damaged items.

The Food for Fines program has been an Englewood Library tradition since 1990. Originally, it was a once-a-year program. But in 2003, Library Director Hank Long got permission from the Englewood City Council to hold the program twice a year, once at the start of summer and again between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The program does decrease the fines collected by about 50 percent but it also collects food valued at more than the lost fines that will help feed needy families in the area.

Each of the twice-a-year programs generally collect food valued between $1,500 and $2,000 for Inter-Faith Community Services. The estimated value of the raised in by the 19-year-old program is about $38,600.

For information on the Food for Fines program, call the library at 303-762-2550.

Since it began in 1990, the Food for Fines program has collected food donations for Inter-Faith valued at more than $35,000.