Make a difference to those in need

A win-win situation is perhaps the best way to describe the City of Joondalup’s 2023 Food for Fines Campaign.

From Wednesday 1 November – Thursday 30 November, City of Joondalup library members can have their overdue library fines cleared by $1 at a time.

In return, all they have to do is drop off non-perishable boxed, bottled or canned food items at one of the City’s four library branches – Duncraig, Joondalup, Whitford or Woodvale.

The more they donate, the better off they will be.

At the end of the month, food donations will be distributed to the Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence, The Spiers Centre and No Limits, making life a little easier for those families doing it tough in the lead-up to Christmas.

The City last took part in the Food for Fines campaign in 2017, which resulted in more than 73 boxes of food going to the participating charities. More than $870 in library fines were waived that month.

Acceptable food for donations includes peanut butter or spreads, canned meats – chicken, tuna, salmon, canned vegetables or fruit, pasta or rice, cereal, cooking oil, savoury sauces and dressings, soups or condiments, fruit cake or baking mixes, coffee, tea and biscuits and non-alcoholic beverages.

As pets can be an important part of family life, sealed canned food or dried biscuits for cats and dogs will also be accepted.

Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said nobody loses out by getting involved in Food for Fines.

“Christmas can be a hard time for many, and our community is renowned for its generous spirit and for looking after our own,” he said.

“Through Food for Fines, these wonderful participating charities receive much-needed food for distribution, and our library members can significantly reduce or wipe out their library fines. The more they donate, the better off they will be.”

This campaign is also open to members of the community who are not library members, so you don’t have to be a library member or have a late fine to participate.

For more information, visit the City’s webpage or call 9400 4751.

Items not accepted for donation: Open, damaged packages or repackaged food, expired food, perishables or food requiring refrigeration, pet food.