Food for Fines is more than just a way that students, UW faculty and the community can pay a parking citation, it’s a way to help local families during this holiday season.
According to the Transit and Parking Service website, customers who bring in two non-perishable food donations during Nov. 27 through Dec. 15 will receive a thirty percent discount off one outstanding parking citation valued at $38.00 or less.
Kristin Blevins, a member of the Staff Senate, said that once the Staff Senate has chosen from a list of families of UW staff members, they open the drive up to the community, including, Laramie Soup Kitchen, Interfaith Good Samaritan and other families in need. The donated items from both Food for Fines and the Staff Senate’s regular donations are then divided against the number of nominations.
Starting after Thanksgiving, an electronic nomination option will also become available on the Transit and Parking Service’s website.
When bringing in a donation, Blevins said, “Be considerate. Realize that this is actually going to somebody in need.”
In addition to food items such as canned goods, cooking mixes and oils, cash and gift cards to local grocery stores are used to purchase foods like whole turkeys in order to complete a whole meal for these families.
Since its start in 2013, Food for Fines has seen a relatively steady yearly growth in the number of nonperishable items received. During its first year running, 50 nonperishable items were collected versus the 218 items collected in 2016.
The program has grown in popularity over the years.
“It’s difficult to know how many people will be interested in participating,” assistant manager at Transit and Parking Services, Elizabeth Whitt, said. “The program has certainly grown in popularity from the time we started in 2013. This program offers a way for people to pay their citations while also supporting UW families and the local community this holiday season.”
The program is beneficial for the holiday season because it allows students to save money and help families in need.
“I think this is a wonderful idea!” a UW staff member, Tyler Kerr, said. “Cash-strapped students get to save some money around the holidays, do a good deed and families in need benefit as well. I wish I had heard about this last year!”
