BALTIMORE — Though Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Public Library waived late fees, it’s still putting bibliophile's debts to good use with its annual food drive.
In teaming up with the Maryland Food Bank, the Enoch Pratt system will collect unopened, unexpired cans of food at citywide library branches from Jan. 2 until Jan. 31.
In previous years, the program was called “Food for Fines,” as each donated can of food deducted from that library user’s late fee debts. As the library is now “fine-free,” each can brought this year will go towards paying off potential library fees, like those paid for lost or stolen materials or for replacement cards. Reflecting the change, the program is now called “Food for Friends.”
“The Pratt Library is now fine-free. But we want to continue our support of the Maryland Food Bank during the winter,” said Pratt Library President & CEO Heidi Daniel in a statement. “I encourage everyone to drop off canned goods at our Pratt branches to help in this citywide effort to give back.”
Last year the library collected 7,411 pounds of food, a statement from the Pratt Library said. That is enough to feed 6,175 Marylanders.
“This year marks our 40th year of feeding hungry Marylanders across the state, so we are especially excited to kick off 2019 with the help of our friends at the Enoch Pratt Free Library,” says Carmen Del Guercio, President & CEO of the Maryland Food Bank. “Campaigns like Food For Friends are instrumental to the work we do, not only because it’s an easy way for people to donate nutritious food, but because they bring attention to the fact that hunger is a year-round issue, one that doesn’t end once the holidays are over.”
