The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Police Department is in the giving spirit this holiday season, launching their third annual Food For Fines program this week.
Through Dec. 6, anyone with an outstanding parking citation from the UAFS Parking Office can have a ticket of $25 waived by donating 10 canned goods or non-perishable food items to the office. The program allows forgiveness of one outstanding parking ticket per individual.
The UPD will also be accepting donations from generous students, faculty and staff looking for a way to give – even if they do not have a ticket.
During the initial year of the Food For Fines program, the department delivered the donated food to Antioch for Youth and Family’s foodbank. The second year the food was donated to Grand Avenue Baptist Churchand campus ministry Reach, who in turn gave to their Helping Hands Food program. This year, the department will split the donations between Helping Hands and the Lion Pride Pantry.
Over the first two years of the program UPD has collected more than 2,000 pounds of food.
Donations may be brought to the Parking Office in the Smith Pendergraft Campus Center or University Police Department office at the 51st Annex at 425 North 51st Street. Parking Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The University Police Department office at the 51stAnnex is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.