Cupertino community briefs for the week of April 5

Food for Fines returns

The Santa Clara County Library District this month is holding a second round of its Food for Fines program, in which patrons can waive up to $100 in fines and fees in exchange for a non-perishable food donation of any amount. In its initial monthlong offering in 2018, the equivalent of nearly 30,000 meals was collected for the food insecure in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

“Food for Fines was successful last year in welcoming our patrons back to the library and generating much-needed food for our neighbors,” said county librarian Nancy Howe. “We hope to see an even greater level of participation among library users and continued generosity from all of our communities.”

Last year’s program saw thousands of library patrons take part, with nearly $150,000 in fines and fees waived. More than 5,300 individuals were able to zero out their account balances thanks to Food for Fines. Many community members took part in the program even though they did not have any outstanding fees or fines, and some patrons paid their fines and made a food donation.

Cupertino Library patrons can bring their food donations to the library’s accounts desk during normal business hours to have up to $100 in fines and fees waived. All the food collected through Food for Fines will go to Second Harvest, which supports more than 250,000 Silicon Valley residents monthly. A list of most needed and allowable food donations can be found at www.sccl.org/foodforfines.