Donate items, settle parking citations during Donations for Citations Oct. 19-30
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 16, 2025) — University of Kentucky Transportation Services and the university’s Big Blue Pantry are teaming up again this fall to fill pantry shelves by settling parking citations.
The annual Donations for Citations drive starts Monday, Oct. 19, and ends Friday, Oct. 30. This popular program helps stock pantry shelves and ensures that students experiencing food insecurity have access to food, as well as personal care items.
Students or employees who have a regular ($35) parking citation can pay their fee during this two-week period by donating food or personal care items. Ten nonperishable food items or five personal care items will waive one regular citation of $35 or less.
Regular citations do not include immobilizations, impoundments, parking in fire lanes, ADA accessible parking violations or improper application or use of parking permits. Customers with unpaid citations must also pay any other outstanding citations to have one waived under this program. Citations waived through the drive are not eligible for appeal.
To participate, bring donations to UK Transportation Services’ customer care center, 721 Elizabeth St., between Oct. 19-30. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Big Blue Pantry Director Andrew Perkins said the pantry needs both food and personal hygiene items this year.
“Our shelves really need replenishing,” Perkins said. “Donations for Citations is one of our largest drives, and it goes a long way toward helping us serve students who are facing food insecurity. We’re grateful for all donations and we’re always impressed by the Wildcat community and their generosity."
Suggested food donation items include: peanut butter, jelly, ramen, macaroni and cheese, pastas, pasta sauce, granola bars, cereals, rice, canned meats, canned vegetables and soups.
Suggested personal hygiene items include: shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, bar soap, hand soap, razors, shaving cream, deodorant and tampons or sanitary pads.
Expired, damaged or opened donations will not be accepted. Also, refrigerated items or items in glass containers will not be accepted. No trial sizes.
Visit the Big Blue Pantry’s website for information about hours of operation or to offer donations outside of this program.
For questions, email transportation@uky.edu. For parking, traffic and transit updates, sign up for notices and follow on X @UKParking and Instagram.
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