You Can Pay Your Oak Creek Library Fines By Donating Food

OAK CREEK, WI — If you have any non-perishable food items you've been looking to donate, and you also happen to have fines to pay to the Oak Creek Public Library, you might find this library program handy.

The library is accepting unexpired, non-perishable donations, with each item counting toward $1 in fines. The food will go to The Salvation Army Food Pantry in Oak Creek. The donations can count for books from the Oak Creek Library, but donations can't go toward fines for items owned by other libraries in the Milwaukee area, according to Sarah Corso, the library's access services manager.

You can also, of course, donate food items if you don't have fines. Bins for donation can be found at the library, located at 8040 6th Street.

"It's a great way to show a little community support, I think a lot of times people don't realize that Oak Creek has a need for a food bank," Corso said. "Your neighbors need help too, and so it's both, we're helping you, but you're helping the community. It's a thing that makes everybody feel good, hopefully."

The program is slated to end after Monday, until it comes back another time, but Corso said the collection bins may stick around until March 5.

The program is part of the I Love Libraries initiative by the American Library Association. Corso said the library organized activities for people to show their support for libraries, while the donation drive is a way for the library to give back to the community.

The Salvation Army runs a food pantry serving the Oak Creek and surrounding area with a goal of providing a 2-3 day emergency supply of food, the Oak Creek Salvation Army website reads. Some types of items that are often needed include canned vegetables, brown rice, oatmeal, breakfast bars and canned beans.

More information on the Salvation Army food donation program can be found on its website.