Donation program runs Thanksgiving thru Christmas

By Krista Rose (City of Loveland) 

LOVELAND, OH (November 21, 2023) – This holiday season, the Loveland Police Department (LPD) hopes to help others and take the Grinch out of receiving a citation.  

LPD is launching a Food for Fines Program. Officers can issue a warning slip for specific traffic-related violations from Nov. 23, 2023 (Thanksgiving Day) through Dec. 25, 2023 (Christmas Day). Violators will be invited to donate 10 items within 10 days of receiving the violation warning in lieu of paying a fine.

Photo from LPD Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive 2023 (Provided)

All items will be given to Loveland L.I.F.E. Food Pantry to distribute. Examples of acceptable items include non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, cleaning products, paper goods, and diapers.

A LIFE Food Pantry volunteer stocks the shelves with a recent donation (Provided)

This program is organized with the cooperation of City of Loveland administration, Loveland Mayors Court, L.I.F.E. Food Pantry, and the Loveland Citizens Police Academy Alumni. LPD hopes to inspire other communities to join the Food for Fines Program!

History

Officer Al Maupin began the Food for Fines Program in the 1990s at the Springdale (Ohio) Police Department. The program was hugely successful for many years and gave the department an unprecedented opportunity to connect with the community. Not only did the department receive the “food fines” from traffic offenders, but they also received countless donations from others, who believed in the program as well. The food pantries were filled for the holiday season and into the new year. LPD Lieutenant Amy Campbell is proud to bring this great program to Loveland!

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