Donate Food to Reduce Your Libraries Fines Spring 2026
Syracuse University Libraries is offering an end of semester opportunity for students to help others while reducing their library fines. “Food for Fines” will run from Monday, April 20 through the end of the Spring 2026 semester. All Libraries patrons with overdue circulation fines can reduce their fines by donating healthy, nonperishable food and hygiene items that will be donated to the Hendricks Chapel Coach Mac Food Pantry. Donations will be accepted at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and King + King Architecture Libraries. Fine reductions exclude interlibrary loan and lost book fees. Even those without library fees are encouraged to donate!
Fines will be reduced by $1 per item for canned beans and vegetables; $2 per item for soap, canned fish/soup, single serving cereal or oatmeal, lip balm, pasta, sauce, tissue, toilet paper and toothbrush; $3 per item for baked beans, cereal, canned meat/fruit, oatmeal, ramen noodles, rice, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste; $4 per item for granola bars, deodorant, jam/jelly, hot chocolate, peanut butter, tea; and $5 per item for coffee and lotion. Contributions should not be open or expired and single-use items are preferred.
Bird Library is a donation point for contributions for the Hendricks Chapel Coach Mac Food Pantry year-round to support its mission to serve individuals who experience hunger, food insecurity and a lack of resources. The Libraries will accept any sealed, non-expired and non-perishable food or personal care items at the 1st Floor Check Out Desk at Bird Library during regular Check Out Desk hours. See the Research Guide for more information on Food for Fines.
For questions, email circulation@syr.edu.