So, the Boston Public Library has a new promotion:  Bring in canned food to  pay your fines on overdue library books and materials.  Through November 15, each can of food brought to all Boston Public Library branches will clear $2 worth of fines from a customer’s library records.  They are donating all food to hunger relief agencies in Boston.  What a novel (excuse the pun) idea!

Now, just imagine what would happen if other organizations started this type of campaign.  People would be taking care of past debt and taking care of others.  Now, I know this doesn’t work on a retail basis; it would certainly put most establishments out of business.  But, if companies and business owners began thinking creatively about how to do business (i.e. get folks to return their overdue books) and doing good (feeding hungry people), there would be more people contributing to the common good.

Here at The Food Project, service is a part of our mission.  Providing folks not only with free food, but with access to healthy, locally-grown food, and education by teaching Boston residents how to grow their own food.  We do this work entirely with youth–couldn’t do it without them.  My hope is that each young person who goes through our programs and who works with The Food Project will carry this sense of care and purpose and service with them throughout their life.  Perhaps as they grow up and enter the workforce, we’ll see more ideas like this one come to pass.