The two-month amnesty was staged during December and January, with borrowers asked to donate non-perishable food items at their library in exchange for the waiving of outstanding fees.
Library staff at branches throughout the Scenic Rim waived an estimated $2000 worth of overdue fees during the amnesty, collecting a shopping trolley full of groceries in the process.
Scenic Rim Mayor John Brent presented the donations from the amnesty to St Vincent de Paul’s Beaudesert Food Warehouse on Monday February 13.
The warehouse, operated by local volunteers, distributes food and household necessities through welfare centres to the needy the across South East Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Prior to Christmas, the warehouse distributed more than $160,000 worth of groceries to those in need.
“This warehouse provides a vital service to the less fortunate in the Scenic Rim and council is pleased to be able to contribute to this charity,” Cr Brent said.
“I thank our library borrowers for supporting this initiative.” St Vincent de Paul St Mary’s Conference Support Officer Kevin Castles thanked the council and library patrons for the donation of foodstuffs.
“This donation enables us to help more people in need, so it all goes to a good cause,” Mr Castles said.