The holiday season seemed like a time to receive when we were children. Although, as we got older, we
realized that the holidays are really a chance to give. One city used this very
notion we know as the “holiday spirit” to start the Food for Fines program.
This program allowed residents to receive forgiveness for their fines by
donating canned goods. The initiative turned program was patterned from Boston,
who once did toys for tickets. Both ideas were presented as a way to fight hunger
and deliver hope to residents. Food for Fines did just that as it became the
perfect win-win situation for many throughout the holidays.
This year marks the
second year that the Food for Fines program will be orchestrated by the
founders, Lexington Parking Authority, in Lexington, Kentucky. The rules for
the program last year were mild starting out. Residents could donate
non-perishable, unexpired, unopened can goods for parking citations only
between November 16 and December 18. They also could only receive $15 credit on
their parking citations for the equivalent of every ten canned goods. The contributions
were so great last year; collecting over 6,200 canned goods for 600 meter tickets
at a value of $14,500, that as a result this year Food for Fines extended the
donations to all types of citations. The hope is to not only supply the immediate
needs for the hungry, but to create a marketing campaign for the local food banks.
Several cities caught
wind of the program including Tallahassee, Florida and Albany, New York. However, it has been duly noted that each city has
made adjustments to the program to fit their cities criteria’s. In Albany, food that fits the standard non-perishable,
unexpired, unopened rule can be donated in exchange for removal of any and all
late penalties on parking tickets prior to July 31, 2015. Residents can come to
City Hall or donate directly to their partner, The Food Pantries for the
Capital Region. Tallahassee, on the other hand, just joined
the program today, November 30, 2015. Scott Maddox, city Commissioner, presented
the initiative to the rest of the commissioners as a way to spark the holiday spirit
of giving. The initiative received a unanimous vote via some alterations. This
city only allows their first time parking offenders to participate for now, they
are allowed to give one non-perishable food item for every $1 of their fine, and the program will run until January 4th, but is only extended to tickets issued
within that time period. Also, only tickets up to $50 can be paid via canned goods. Anything
above that must be paid in cash. Residents must pay all fines in person at the
French Renaissance Center Monday through Friday between the times of 8:30a to 5:30p
in order for the exchange to count.
As seen, some cities
have more alterations than others. It is said that they picked up some ideas
from similar programs that emerged way before food or toys were accepted for tickets. Apparently,
many libraries have done so to remind students to bring in their books on time.
While younger children may really enjoy this idea, one could see why more
adults gravitated towards the idea of tickets. Being that, as driving adults we all
probably have received a ticket at some point or another. These two extremes are
still two great examples of a win-win situation. So if you’re in a state that offers
either program I’d encourage you to take full advantage. I’d also urge you to
think long and hard about the next win-win program you can initiate to help the
hungry and deliver hope to the residents of your city. Be a blessing to someone and enjoy your holidays.
K.T.Harbertđź’‹
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