Food for Fines Restocks Local Food Pantries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 3, 2018
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — More than $11,000 worth of food will restock local food pantries thanks to an effort spearheaded by the Tarleton State University Police Department’s first-ever “Food for Fines” program.
The month-long effort in November, allowing students to clear campus parking fines by donating non-perishable food items, resulted in $11,190 being collected to support food pantries on the Tarleton campus and in the Stephenville community.
“We had hoped for $5,000 worth of food gifts, but we more than doubled that initial estimate,” said Tarleton Chief of Police Matt Welch.
During November, the Tarleton Police Department accepted parking citation payments for half-price in exchange for a food gift. Students were encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items and a purchase receipt to receive a 50 percent break on outstanding citation balances — some of which dated back several years, according to Kasey Brown, program coordinator for Police, Parking & Transportation Services. The program applied to Tarleton citations issued prior to Oct. 31, 2018.
Eight local food pantries and social services centers benefited from the Food for Fines program, including the Tarleton Food Pantries at the Stephenville campus and Fort Worth center, Huston Academy, H.O.P.E. Inc., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cross Timbers Family Services, The Pantry & More, and First Christian Church.
Police and parking staff filled 12 vans with food during the month thanks to the popularity of the Food for Fines effort. In all, approximately $22,380 in outstanding parking citations were cleared via donated food items.
“We can’t thank the Tarleton Police Department enough for this initiative as well as all the students who chose to participate,” said Caleb Chapman, director of campus leadership and service initiatives. “It’s a perfect example of the giving spirit of our Tarleton community. This will ensure that our shelves are stocked and ready when the spring semester arrives.”
Welch said the Tarleton Police Department is considering future collection efforts to benefit other local charities and non-profits. “Some patrons looking to clear their outstanding citations stated they dropped their decision to appeal parking fines due to the nature of the food drive supporting a good cause,” he said.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
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Contact: Kurt Mogonye, Senior Communications Specialist
254-968-9460
mogonye@tarleton.edu
