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LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Parking tickets can be paid with donations of canned food instead of cash during a monthlong "Food for Fines" program in Lexington, Kentucky.
The city's parking authority will accept cans for citations from Nov. 16 to Dec. 18, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported (http://bit.ly/1HCs4T8).
Those who donate 10 canned food items will receive a $15 credit on citations. Customers with multiple citations may bring in 10 cans per citation for the credits.
God's Pantry Food Bank will use the food to stock shelves at its four Lexington locations.
"One expired parking meter ticket could mean two meals for hungry Fayette County families," God's Pantry CEO Marian Guinn said.
Citizens brought in more than 6,200 cans of food as payment during last year's inaugural "Food for Fines" program, LexPark Executive Director Gary Means said.
Last year, the program was limited to LexPark citations for expired parking meters. This year any parking citation issued by either LexPark or the police department will be eligible.
"We hope by opening the program up to all types of citations, we'll see the numbers increase," Means said.
The parking authority suggests large cans with vegetables and proteins. No out-of-date, damaged or open canned goods will be accepted.
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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com
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