City council is again being asked to approve the annual week-long Food for Fines program to support the Whitehorse Food Bank and Kaushee’s Place.

The program allows people to pay their tickets for expired parking meters with non-perishable food items, the value of which must be equivalent to the amount of the fine.

Two-hour parking violations can also be paid with food items.

The food and any cash payments for fines during the week are directed to the food bank and Kaushee’s Place.

The food bank is now serving some 3,000 people a month, says the administrative report presented to council at its meeting Monday evening.

The Kaushee’s women’s shelter provides food and shelter to between 14 and 19 women and children daily.

The Food for Fines program has been running since 2005. It will run this year from Saturday, Nov. 28 to Saturday, Dec. 5.

While the program ends Dec. 5, city hall will continue to accept food for fines issued during the week until Dec. 9.

Council will vote on the request at next Monday’s meeting.

A total of $6,535 was raised last year.

The average number of tickets per week runs from 540 to 600, says the administrative report.

Council was told last night that any ticket paid online during the week will be directed to the Fines for Food program.