Earlier this month, we were wowed by an Indiana town's creative initiative that allowed people to pay off parking tickets with shelter cat donations. Now, another U.S. city appears to have taken their lead—but with a back-to-school twist. For a few weeks, drivers in Anchorage, Alaska can donate school supplies to compensate for outstanding fines.
Until August 9, 2019, EasyPark (a branch of the Anchorage Community Development Authority responsible for the city's parking services) will accept writing utensils as payment for $20 citations. Specifically, the authority asks that indebted drivers donate either 200 No. 2 pencils or 100 black or blue pens to HUGGS (Helping Us Give School Supplies), a Lutheran Social Services of Alaska program that benefits students in need.
While this may seem like an unlikely collaboration, EasyPark's Parking Director Demetric Tuggle insists that community is at the core of his service's mission. “EasyPark values service agencies that provide back to the community,” he explains. “Providing assistance by accepting school supply items for parking citations is a positive start in supporting our local students for a successful school year.”
In order to keep this initiative organized, EasyPark and HUGGS have set some ground rules. First of all, participation is limited to one fine per license plate. Secondly, only tickets given in the last 30 days qualify for this unique program. Lastly, all donations must be brought in-person to the EasyPark office in Anchorage.
So, if you are in the Anchorage area, meet this criteria, and are looking for a way to give back to your local community, this program may be right up your alley!
Until August 9, 2019, Anchorage's EasyPark will allow drivers with outstanding parking fines to donate pens and pencils to HUGGS in lieu of payment.
h/t: [Reddit]
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