The Christmas spirit seems to have already hit the city's bylaw department and the union representing most municipal workers.

After bylaw manager John Taylor asked council to approve a grant of up to $6,000 to cover the cost of the Food for Fines program in December, Craig Jarvis, president of the union's local, issued a challenge Monday night. It would see members donate $50 worth of food to the three organizations it plans to assist.

Instead of paying a $10 parking ticket with cash, those nabbed at the meters between Dec. 8 and Dec. 13 could donate $10 or more worth of food.

"We want to be so much a part of this that I came equipped to challenge council," Jarvis said as he displayed $50 worth of food on the table in front of him, asking council members to donate the same or more.

At least one member appeared prepared to answer Jarvis' call.

"I'm sure we're all up to the challenge," Coun. Jan Stick told the union representative as he ended his presentation.

Officials didn't have the Food for Fines program ready to go ahead in time for Christmas last year.

However, in 2006, the initiative raised $1,670 in food, goods and cash (some residents brought in money to donate) for the Salvation Army, Kaushee's Place women's shelter and Maryhouse, the same three groups it will be collecting for this year.

Since then, parking tickets have jumped from $5 to $10.

The money raised was used to purchase diapers for Kaushee's Place and additional non-perishable food for the Salvation Army and Maryhouse.

Among the non-perishable food items that would be accepted at city hall when the program is underway are canned goods, including beans, meats, sauces, fruits and vegetables, canned fish, soups, peanut butter and so on, along with dried goods like pasta, cereals and dried soups.

With around 540 tickets issued each week, it's expected the city could end up providing the local charities with $5,400 worth of goods.

Residents would have until Dec. 16 to drop off their food payments for tickets doled out between Dec. 8 and Dec. 13.

"This would leave enough time for local charities to distribute the donated food to those in need prior to Dec. 25," Taylor said in presenting his administrative report to council.

Advertising for the initiative would be done through November and December.

The report also notes that an average 86 people use the emergency food services of the Salvation Army and Maryhouse each week, with 100 to 120 people using the soup kitchen every day.

Council will vote next week on whether to provide the grant.

Against the program when it was first presented to him a few years ago, Coun. Dave Stockdale said Monday he has since changed his mind and has been pleased with the amount of food collected in past Food for Fines initiatives.

"It's an excellent program," he said.

In the meantime, along with supporting the Food for Fines program, the union will once again host its second Put A Little Love In Your Heart food drive campaign close to the Christmas season.

"This year, we hope to do a lot better," Jarvis told reporters Monday night following the council meeting.

That said, the 2007 initiative was a success, raising about enough food to feed a family of 12 for six months, he noted.