On April 7, our staff was very excited to attend Santa Clara County Library District’s launch event of its first ever “Food for Fines” Program!

From Left to Right: Diane Roche, Director of Communications and Marketing, SCCLD; Diane Baker Hayward, PR and Media Relations, SHFB; Supervisor Mike Wasserman; Lani Yoshimura, Gilroy Library Manager; Gigante; Bernadette White, Community Relations Officer, SHFB

This month, Second Harvest has joined forces with Santa Clara County Library District to bring you back to the library and deliver food to those in need.

Do you have overdue fines or has a lost item kept you away from the library? Now is the perfect opportunity to clear your fines and do a good deed to help others.

From April 2-30, in an effort to bring patrons with unpaid fines/fees back to the library, Santa Clara County Library District is offering to waive up to $100 per account in exchange for a food donation. All eight of its libraries are participating, as well as its bookmobile. That’s a win-win for you and our community!

Don’t have any fines but still want to help? All non-perishable food donations are welcome!

Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco is setting an example by donating food

“This partnership with Santa Clara County Library District really symbolizes to me how important our community is to addressing hunger. Whether patrons of the library have fines or not, I have been overwhelmed by how many people have donated in just the first week of this program! It is amazing to see how Food for Fines has really brought everyone together for the singular cause of nourishing our community,” said Bernadette White, Second Harvest Community Relations Officer.

Ava, a particularly enthusiastic Food for Fines participant

Photo Credit: Erik Sanjurjo, SCC Library District

To donate:

Please bring your donation to library staff at the Accounts Desk at any Santa Clara County Library location during normal open hours to have your fines/fees waived.

Most needed food items:

  • Canned tuna, chicken, or salmon
  • Olive or canola oil
  • Peanut butter
  • Spices (cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, salt-free spice blends)
  • Meals in a can (soup, stew, chili)
  • Canned foods with pop-top lids
  • Low-sodium canned vegetables
  • Low-sugar whole grain cereals
  • Canned fruit in its own juice or water
  • Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
Please avoid items packed in glass. No expired or homemade foods, candy, or sugar-sweetened drinks. All food donations go to Second Harvest.

Have more questions or interested in learning more?  Check out Santa Clara County Library District’s Food for Fines FAQ here!