Tacoma Public Library officials announced Wednesday a campaign that allowed library patrons to pay down library fees by donating non-perishable food items was an overwhelming success.

The ‘Food For Fines’ food drive, which began on Feb. 19 and wrapped up on March 2, collected 18,560 non-perishable food items. For every three non-perishable items a patron donated, the library reduced their overdue fines by $10, without a limit to the total amount waived. The library also added 1,125 new patrons during the campaign. The food collected at the eight library branches will be donated to a neighborhood food bank.

More information is available online here.