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LOCAL LIFE
Mayor’ s Christmas library
amnesty swaps fines for food
This Christmas, Hills residents can have their overdue library fines waived simply by donating non-perishable food items as part of the Mayor’ s Christmas Library Fine Amnesty.
Library members are encouraged to contribute long-life items such as biscuits, canned goods, tea and other pantry staples. All donations will support local families in need, spreading kindness and generosity across the Hills community this festive season.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, urged residents to get behind her Christmas Appeal and Library Fine Amnesty.
“ I am incredibly proud of this
community-driven initiative, which partners with Anglicare’ s Mobile Community Pantry to provide affordable food options to individuals and families doing it tough, particularly during the festive season,” Mayor Byrne said.
“ Beyond supporting this worthy cause, the Library Fine Amnesty also helps return valuable resources to the community, bringing old books back to our library shelves for everyone to enjoy.
“ Whether or not you have a library fine, everyone is welcome to donate. Let’ s see if we can top last year’ s record of 2,132 food items and make it our biggest year yet, helping even more local families enjoy a brighter Christmas.”
Anglicare’ s Community Pantry has already provided essential support to more than 27,700 customers, distributing over 20,200 affordable pantry bags and 11,400 affordable food bags.
“ The Community Pantry is a partnership between local Anglican churches and
Anglicare. Together, we provide low-cost groceries to help individuals and families reduce their cost of living and stay connected with the local community,” an Anglicare spokesperson said.
“ What makes this partnership special is that it supports people holistically – meeting not only physical needs through food, but also social and emotional needs by welcoming people into friendship and community.”
The 2025 Library Fine Amnesty will run from Saturday 15 November to Sunday 14 December at all Hills Shire Libraries.
Accepted non-perishable food items include:
• Tinned ham or chunky soup( 450g)
• Tinned salmon or tuna( 415g)
• Tea( 100pk)
• Coffee( 100g)
• Packet of biscuits( no chocolate)
• Dried pasta( 500g)
• Long-life milk
• Tinned fruit and vegetables( 425g)
• Jam( 500g)
• Pasta sauce Standard sizes are preferred. Please note: chocolate or chocolatecoated items cannot be accepted as they may melt.
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4 ISSUE 126 // DECEMBER 2025 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS! theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT