The new year is off to a good start thanks to the many students and staff who donated more than 200 food items at the Seventh annual Food for Fines Campaign, which took place from Dec. 1 to 23.

“The campaign, which started in December of 2003, is a ‘win-win’ situation,” says Cindy Warner, library services specialist.

 “Participating students and College staff benefited by having their accounts cleared of any fines that were overdue and at the same time the Lethbridge College Students Association benefited by receiving food for their food bank, which is there to assist students in need,” explained Warner.

  A total of 131 overdue fines were forgiven, totaling $448.75.

  Each person who donated a food item was eligible for an entry into a draw, where the winners came away with a copy of the book, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. In addition, four tickets to a Lethbridge Hurricanes game were donated courtesy of JP Gentile, campus recreation co-ordinator.

  The Alchemist has been chosen as this year’s selection in the library’s One Book campaign. The purpose of the One Book campaign is to promote reading, and build culture and community by having as many people on the Lethbridge College campus, students or not, reading the same book.

  This year, 48 people participated in the campaign, consisting of students and college staff. Of those 48, 40 were entered into the draw, while eight declined the offer to enter the draw.

  Many students enjoyed the opportunity to give food instead of fines.

   “The (Food for Fines) helped me out as I don’t have a lot of extra money and it was extremely satisfying to know my donation was going to the Food Bank and helping other students,” says Angela Crow-Buffalo, winner of the draw.

  A total of 209 items were donated with a great variety of canned and packaged items, including baby food and formula.

  The food was then given to the LCSA student food bank. The LCSA relies on the annual collection of food to keep their stockpiles up. The LCSA also received cash donations throughout the campaign that helped to fill in any gaps.

  “The use of the food bank has gone up this past year,” noted Angela Fretts, association service coordinator.

  “Usually four to six people would need food a month, but with the downturn of the economy more people are finding it difficult to live on what they are getting,” said Fretts. 

The library plans on doing another Food for Fines campaign again in April.