Bring a box of cereal or other non-perishable food item to any CALS location this week and get out of paying a fine on an overdue book.

The Central Arkansas Library System will hold its annual Food for Fines week today (Dec. 5) through Sunday (Dec. 11). 

When returning overdue materials, patrons are encouraged to bring at least one non-perishable food per overdue item to any of the library's 12 branches in Pulaski and Perry County to have their fines forgiven. 

Food collected during the drive will be donated to Arkansas Rice Depot's Food for Kids program which provides backpacks and ready-to-eat food to over 30,000 children in 600 Arkansas public schools.

Items needed for Food for Kids are ravioli, peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit, pudding cups, cereal and granola bars.

Food items may not be used to cancel fines already on record for materials that have been returned prior to Food for Fines week.

For more information on the Food for Fines Program visit your local branch of the Central Arkansas Library System or call (501) 918-3000.