You're a busy parent, so chances are good that you've forgotten to take back a library book a time or two. Well, you can bid your library fines farewell this week—and help hungry Arkansans all at once! The Central Arkansas Library System holds its annual Food for Fines week from Dec. 7-13, giving library-goers the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items to erase fines.

Bring your donations when returning overdue materials to erase the fine for that item as well as any other existing overdue fines. Each non-perishable food item represents $1 and patrons may donate up to 10 food items to cancel up to $10 of fines. There's just one limitation: Food donations may not be used to waive charges for items that have been lost or billed.

Food collected during the drive will be donated to Arkansas Rice Depot, which has been working to alleviate hunger in Arkansas for more than 25 years. Donations will also be used to support Rice Depot's Food for Kids program, which operates during the school year to provide backpacks of food children can take home to eat during the weekend. Items needed for Food for Kids are ravioli, peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit, pudding cups, cereal and granola bars.

For more info and library locations, visit CALS.org.