Food for Fines, the holiday canned food drive organized by Nashville
Public Library to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, generated 13 tons
of food for the local hunger organization, making it one of their most
successful drives of 2006.

Trading one can of food for each $1 owed in overdue fines, library
cardholders responded in droves during the Dec. 18-31 drive, donating
more than 34,000 cans of fruit, vegetables, chili, pasta, baked beans
and other nutritious edibles to the Second Harvest Emergency Food Box
Program, which is usually depleted after the holidays. Patrons without
overdue fines also donated canned goods during the event, which
generated approximately 26,000 pounds of food for hungry children,
seniors and families in the community.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is an award-winning member
of America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest charitable hunger
organization. For more information, visit secondharvestnashville.org.
Nashville Public Library offers a collection of more than 1.5 million
items including books, videos, DVDs, CDs and eAudiobooks, as well as
more than 1000 public-use computers, 24/7 reference assistance, and
free exhibits and programs including puppet shows by Wishing Chair
Productions seen by nearly 5,000 children each month. For more
information, call 615-862-5800 or visit www.library.nashville.org.

Photo credit: Deanna Larson
(L-R) Nashville Public Library staffer Matt Jones sorts food donated
during the library's Food for Fines campaign at the Second Harvest Food
Bank of Middle Tennessee warehouse, along with Second Harvest Community
Relations manager Elisabeth Patton and Second Harvest COO Matthew
Bourlakas. Library patrons traded one can for every $1 in overdue
fines, generating 13 tons of food for the Second Harvest Emergency Food
Box Program.