LexPark collects 10,000 canned food items in ‘food for fines’ program

The Lexington Parking Authority collected 10,000 canned goods and other food items as part of its five-week “food for fines” program.

The program — now in its second year — allowed people to pay traffic and parking fines with canned goods. All donations received by LexPark were given to God's Pantry Food Bank.

According to God’s Pantry, 10,211 pounds, or 5 tons, of food were received, which is the equivalent of 8,370 meals. The program started Nov. 16 and concluded Dec. 18. In 2014, only parking citations were eligible for the food for fines program. This year the program was expanded to include traffic citations. Last year, LexPark collected 6,200 food items.

The program has been featured in local and national media and has been replicated in other cities. Little Rock, Ark., is the latest to launch a food for fines program.

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "LexPark collects 10,000 canned food items in ‘food for fines’ program."