Whether you owe a few cents for an overdue book or you're returning a stack of novels you found in the coat closet under your winter jacket, the library will forgive your fines today through Sept. 2 in exchange for desperately-needed food donations.

The Natick Service Council will collect non-perishable food and personal care items at the Morse Institute Library today as a part of the Food for Fine$ program.

The annual program, which has been traditionally held during the winter holiday season, has been moved to today to help families struggling to keep themselves fed. This has been an increasingly prevalent problem this summer, when families with school-age children are missing out on the lunches that the schools provide during the year.

The items that are most in need are the following:

• Cereal
• Toilet Paper
• Jelly
• Hamburger Helper
• Canned Fruit
• Coffee & Tea
• Tuna
• Juice (boxes or bottles)
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste

NSC asks that you donate items in plastic containers, rather than glass.

If you make a donation through Sept. 2, the Morse Institute Library will waive your library fines. This does not apply to lost or damaged library items.

The council currently serves 1,300 residents, including 500 children.