Food for Fines campaign on at university

NEWS — TRU students with overdue library books can reduce their fines and do a good deed for the food bank at the same time.

Members of the TRU community can once again have up to $20 waived in library fines through the 10th Annual Food for Fines campaign.

For each non-perishable food item a person donates, $2 will be deducted from what he or she owes in fines. Donations are being accepted and fines waived at the TRU Library checkout desks in Kamloops and Williams Lake during service hours.

The campaign runs through April 25, with Kamloops donations going to the TRU Students’ Union Food Bank and Williams Lake donations to the Williams Lake Food Bank.

Those with accounts in good standing are also able to participate.

TRU web services librarian Kathy Gaynor said 275 non-perishable food items were collected last year for the TRUSU food bank, and $550 in overdue fines were waived.

“This time of year is hard for students,” she said. “There is the pressure to find a job for the summer, student loan money is running thin, final exams are looming.

“We felt that this was a great way to give students a break by waiving/reducing overdue library fines and restocking the student-run food bank.

“It’s a win for the library because it can be uncomfortable collecting fines from cash-strapped students. It’s a win for students and a win for the TRUSU food bank.”