K-State Parking Fines Forgiven in Exchange for Canned Goods

Caden Parker, sophomore at Kansas State University donates cans for his citations.

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Students, faculty, and staff members can get parking redemption by the Cats Cupboard community when donating nonperishable food items instead of paying for one parking citation per academic year. 

This program, known as "Donations 4 Citations" is run by the Kansas State University Student Governing Association and Cats Cupboard to influence attendees at K-State to give back to the community. This program offers a way for parking offenders to pay their bill at a cheaper price and help the less fortunate at the same time. Cats Cupboard tremendously benefits from this program as well as those who shop there. It is a great resource for those who struggle financially with purchasing groceries and daily necessities. While everyone may want to participate, specific rules apply: only particular types of tickets are eligible, you have to get it approved by parking services beforehand, and you may only use this for one ticket per year. 

"These rules keep students from abusing the option of donating to Cats Cupboard in place of a parking payment,” Shelly Williams, Director of Cats Cupboard, said.  

Within the last two months of this helpful program being open, the K-State community has donated numerous items to profit those in need. Having "Donations 4 Citations" up and running has proven students care about the well-being of their peers. This is essentially an ongoing food drive, where those who donate get an incentive back as well. 

Caden Parker, sophomore at Kansas State University donates cans for his citations.

“I am beyond grateful for the K-State family we have here and their outpouring of kindness to donate to Cats Cupboard,” Williams said. “The program has given students an opportunity to donate while learning their lesson about parking on campus.” 

To qualify for citation forgiveness, 10 or more nonperishable food items or hygiene products must be donated at the Parking Services office. According to the Cats Cupboard website, these approved items include white rice, red lentils, marinara sauce, laundry detergent, vegetable oil, canned pineapple or peaches, jelly, ketchup, mustard, and shampoo.  

"These items listed are in high demand at Cats Cupboard, and we are always thrilled to have our shelves stocked with them,” Williams said.  

Student offender Matthew Lierz was ticketed with a $39 citation. To combat this issue, Lierz was introduced to the idea of “Donations 4 Citations” in his business class, where he received a flyer and learned information about how to donate to the organization. Lierz followed the steps closely in hopes to save some money on his ticket. After shopping for the goodies, he saved around $30. 

"It was satisfying to know that I was able to help other students on campus as well as not having to pay for my ticket,” Lierz said.