University 'Food for Fines' campaign supporting MA homeless services

Over Christmas the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) swapped food for fines at UTS Libraries in Haymarket and Lindfield.

While fines need to be imposed in libraries to encourage sharing of the University's resources, staff from the UTS Lending Services saw an opportunity to help the broader community and change the perception associated with fines.

The solution came in the form of the 'Food for Fines' initiative, involving the waiving of library fines in exchange for a food donation. UTS Libraries waived up to $30 worth of fines per person, and collected 13 large boxes of non-perishable foodstuffs - all generously donated to Mission Australia.

Many staff and students at the universities even donated food items when they didn’t have fines.

One UTS lecturer commented. “What a good idea! You've brightened up my day and made UTS an even nicer place to work.”

Stephen Fardouly from UTS Lending Services said that Mission Australia was their logical charity-of-choice "as many of the students at the Haymarket campus are familiar with homeless people sleeping rough in the local area and were aware of Mission Australia's homelessness services such as Missionbeat," he said.

The initiative proved to be a great success, with the libraries set to run the initiative again later in 2010.