Camille Beary, assistant director of the library, said each year during spring and fall finals, the library forgives all outstanding fines if the student brings in a non-perishable food item to be donated to Batesville Help and Hope.

The event benefits the students as well as those needing the donated items, she added.

"No seniors with outstanding debts owed will receive a diploma," Beary said. "And underclassmen can't check out anything else until the fines are paid. So this is a good thing for everyone involved."

According to the group's Web site, Batesville Help and Hope, a United Way Agency, was incorporated in 1987 to provide food and clothing at no charge to residents of Independence County who are in need. Concerned citizens from area churches felt that a single, efficiently run center could serve people more easily than the existing church pantries and clothes closets.

Help and Hope continues to be supported by the community through the United Way, area churches and other groups and individuals in the county.

The center is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, and is located at 2622 East Main. Donations of non-perishable foods, personal hygiene products and good, clean clothing are gratefully accepted during the work hours. The agency always needs children's clothing, maternity clothes and work clothes for adults.