Food for Fines

Food For Fines is an initiative to support the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry, while providing a cheaper opportunity to pay parking citations. Please note that donations can only be accepted during the donation period listed.

*Donations are accepted to the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry if you do not have a citation.

How it Works

  • You can pay for your parking ticket in full by bringing non-perishable food or hygiene items to one of our two donation locations on campus.
  • Each food item is worth $5 towards your ticket. For Example, a citation worth $35 may be paid using 7 items.

    • Please note that only full item donations will be accepted towards your citation payment. Partial donations cannot be applied. For example, you cannot donate a can of soup to reduce your citation amount.
  • (Not all tickets qualify for this program, please see section Tickets that do not qualify below).

When and Where

  • The program will run from October 20-24, 2025.
    • You can donate food at the ECU Parking Office (305 E. 10th Street, Greenville, NC 27858) or the ECU Health Sciences Parking Office (ECU Parking & Transportation Services, 600 Moye Blvd., Health Sciences Student Center, Room 224).
    • Time: 8:30AM – 4:00PM
    • The Health Science Campus location closes daily from 12pm-1pm for lunch.
  • Main Campus Student Center – Corridor Tabling
    • October 20th from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
    • October 21st from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
    • October 22nd from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
    • October 23rd from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
    • October 24th from 10:00AM – 1:00PM

What to Donate

  • Breakfast Items
    • Individual cups of cereal and oatmeal
    • Breakfast bars
    • Fruit cups
  • Lunch & Dinner Items
    • Canned meat or pouches (tuna, chicken)
    • Rice
    • Pasta
    • Taco meal kits
    • Seasonings
    • Condiments
  • Other Items
    • Hygiene and household items

What Not to Donate

  • Expired food
  • Damaged, dented, rusty, leaky, unlabeled or open packages/cans
  • Glass jars

Tickets That Do Not Qualify

You cannot use donated food to pay for these types of parking tickets:

  • Tampering with University Equipment
  • Shared Permit or Tow Violation
  • Parking in Reserved Space, Grass, or Sidewalk
  • Parked in Fire Lane or ADA Space Violation
  • Transfer Citations

Should you have any questions related to Food for Fines please feel free to stop by the ECU Parking Office (305 E. 10th Street) or email parking@ecu.edu.

Program Sponsors

  • Parking and Transportation
  • Williams-Ross Purple Pantry
  • Student Government Association