Donate to forget that fine: Park Cedar Rapids conducting annual Forget the Fine Drive

CEDAR RAPIDS - For the next few weeks, those issued parking tickets in Cedar Rapids have some options for settling their debt, so long as they are willing to making a charitable donation.

Park Cedar Rapids is holding it's annual Forget the Fine Drive through Dec. 20. Instead of paying a parking fine, those issued a ticket can bring in non-perishable food items and supplies in an amount that would equal part or the full cost of the fine. If the cost does not add up to the full amount, the rest of the fine will need to be paid.

Donations will be sent to Waypoint Services, Willis Dady Homeless Services and Horizons.

The drive is similar to the blood drives the organization promotes during summer months were area residents can donate blood instead of paying a ticket.

This is the fourth year Park Cedar Rapids has held the Forget the Fine Drive.

'It's gotten bigger and bigger every year,” said John Rouse, general manager for Park Cedar Rapids. 'There were other parking organizations doing things like collecting food during the holidays. We wanted to be a bit more broad other than just focusing on food. Supplies seem to be something that people need, in addition to food, when you're in a situation of potentially being homeless.”

In 2015, 120 people donated $2,731 worth of items. That nearly doubled in 2016 with 160 people donating items worth $4,628. Rouse said he credits better communication of the drive for the increase in donations. Park Cedar Rapids has begun to put a note inside the issued warnings and fines.

Officials hope to collect items worth more than $5,000 collectively this year, and Rouse said he thinks that's a reasonable goal. 'We've gotten - year over year - the phone call of ‘are you going to be doing this again, what's the next opportunity for me to donate stuff?' ”

Rouse encourages those who donate to bring a receipt of items they wish to donate so Park Cedar Rapids officials can tally up the cost.

Items should be dropped off at Park Cedar Rapids, 349 Fourth Ave. SE. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.

Though Park Cedar Rapids does lose out on some revenue during the Forget the Fine Drive, Rouse said it's not significant enough to outweigh the benefit of donating to the service providers. He said parking citation funds make up 3.5 percent of Park Cedar Rapids' annual revenues.

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What to donate

Park Cedar Rapids officials suggest donating the following items as part of the organization's annual Forget the Fine Drive. Items can be dropped off, along with a receipt to confirm value, through Dec. 20 at the Park Cedar Rapids office, 349 Fourth Ave. SE. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.

- Bus tickets

- Non-perishable food

- Coffee grounds and filters

- New pillows

- Sleeping cots

- All-purpose cleaning solutions and soaps

- Plastic bags and extra large trash bags

- Bottled water

- Laundry detergent

- Toilet paper, paper towels

- Diapers, pullups and baby wipes

- Children's books

- Toiletries

- Hats and gloves

- Grocery store gift cards