Lisa Downing of the Forbes Library (Northampton, MA) writes:

Forbes Library will be holding a “Food for Fines” program from Monday, January 5th through Saturday, January 17th, 2009.

Support your local community, clear your library account and return our books to circulate to others!

During this time, patrons may pay any overdue fines on their account with a donation of canned goods (please check your expiration dates) or healthy non-perishable food items. This applies to late fines only and not to lost or damaged fees. All food collected will be given to the Northampton Survival Center for distribution to those in need in Hampshire County [including Northampton and many Hilltowns].

High demand food items are non-dairy milk, cereal, crackers, canned fruit, peanut butter, tuna fish, hearty winter canned soup, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, beans, and rice.

Suggested donation is one item for each $1 waived in fines.