Locals are being encouraged to donate non-perishable food and toiletry items as part of the 2021 Newcastle Libraries Christmas Giving Appeal.
The donated items will be provided to local emergency relief charities Got Your Back Sista, Oz Harvest and Baptist Care, who will pass the items on to community members in need in the lead-up to Christmas.
After a challenging 2021, Christmas is the perfect time for locals to embrace the opportunity to support a worthwhile cause and give to those doing it tough.
The initiative started in 2016 as an amnesty to clear historical library fines and since then, community members have donated more than 10,000 items, which have been passed on to locals in need.
In 2020 a fines-free initiative was introduced to support library members during COVID-19 and has since been extended indefinitely, however those with historical unpaid overdue fines or fees associated with lost and damaged items can have these waived by donating non-perishable food and toiletry items.
Each donated item equates to five dollars, so a $20 fine could be waived with four donated items. There is no limit on the number of items that can be donated or the value of historical fees and charges that can be waived.
The Newcastle Libraries Christmas giving appeal runs until Friday 17 December and donations can be made at any library branch.
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