Ferris Department of Public Safety wrapped up their first Food for Fines initiative, and participation was high.
Ferris DPS implemented Food for Fines in January, allowing students to pay their parking tickets with non-perishable food items. Five items would pay off a $10 ticket and 10 items would pay off a $20 ticket. This did not apply to illegal parking in prohibited areas, such as in handicap spaces.
The initiative concluded at the end of January and the donations were transported to the Wesley House’s campus food pantry Thursday, Feb. 21. According to the Ferris DPS Public Relations and Social Media Intern Evan Rezler, 483.5 pounds of food were collected. This voided 46 citations, which would have cost $855.
It is unclear whether Ferris DPS will try this initiative once more at a later date.