Customers of the Jackson County Public Library in Seymour, Crothersville and Medora may pay overdue fines by donating nonperishable food items from Monday through Aug. 28.

Discovery Bus customers must visit a library building to participate.

Donations of nonperishable food items collected in lieu of fines are given to local food pantries at Human Services Inc., Community Provisions Inc. of Jackson County and Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Food Pantry, all in Seymour; Crothersville First Baptist Church; and Medora Christian Church.

For every dollar owed in fines, at least one food item must be donated. If a customer has a $5 fine, at least five food items are needed to erase the fine. A fine of $5.50 would require at least six food items. Food items must not be expired, rusty, dented or USDA commodities.

Food for Fines is not available to customers with damaged or lost materials.

The materials must be returned undamaged within six months of their original due date before the overdue fines can be waived. Collection agency accounts may participate in this year’s only fine-waiving program as long as they pay the $10 collection agency fee first.

Customers participating in Food for Fines will receive a computer- generated receipt reflecting fines waived by their food donation. Food for Fines applies to all Jackson County Public Library materials, including movies and audio books, but does not apply to fines from other Evergreen Indiana libraries.

Individuals without library fines wishing to donate food items may do so at any library location.

Since its first fine-waiving program in 1991, the library has accepted 78,479 items (food, school supplies and supplies for the Humane Society of Jackson County) and waived $64,628.75 in overdue fines.