PORT ALLEGANY — This is Food for Fine$ Week at the S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library.
Now through Friday, patrons can donate a food item in lieu of paying a library fine. Participants will be helping local food pantries and the Summer Snack program at the library.
Every item donated is $1 off library fines or the library fines of a minor child.
Adults, families, and children in the community are experiencing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library is asking patrons to help their neighbors by donating nonperishable food for the local food pantries and/or single-serve, pre-packaged snack items to add to the Summer Snack bags the library is already distributing Monday-Friday from 2-3 p.m.
The library has actively participated in the USDA Summer Snack program since 2017. The Seneca Library District supplies the S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library with USDA approved healthy snacks for children age 18 and under. This summer, children are coming to the library for snacks, but some are asking for lunch, too. Unfortunately, the Seneca Library District and the S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library are not in a financial position to purchase lunch, but they can ask for donations to bulk up the snack bags already distributed at the library.
For anyone considering donating to the Summer Snack program, here are a few points to consider:
• In June the library served approximately 20 snacks per day. Patrons do not have to donate 20 snacks, just what they are comfortable with.
• Library staff will accept snack donations and will add it to the USDA Summer Snack bags that are already created. Patrons do not have to bag the snacks.
• Snacks should be healthy, no candy or junk food.
• The library cannot accept homemade snacks due to food safety and food allergy concerns. Snacks must have nutrition and ingredient labels unless it is fresh fruit or vegetables.
• Snacks must be single serve and pre-packaged.
• Snacks must be individually wrapped unless they are single-serve fresh fruit or vegetables.
• 4-6 ounce juice boxes or 4-6 ounce bottles of water can also be accepted.
• If a snack requires a spoon consider donating disposable spoons.
• This year, snacks must be placed in a disposable bag. Donating a box of gallon storage bags helps the library offset this cost
• Check all expiration dates on any food pantry or snack item donation.
• Healthy snack ideas include but are not limited to fresh fruit (apples, oranges), granola bars, popcorn, nut butter crackers, fruit cups in fruit juice, applesauce cups or squeeze pouches, dried or dehydrated fruit or fruit leather, fig bars, cheese crackers, whole grain crackers, unfrosted animal crackers, pretzels, raisins, trail mix, etc.
Food pantry and Summer Snack donations may be dropped off at the Library To-Go Window through Friday. Anyone with questions can call the library at 814-642-9210.
