HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-05-2011 - 4cGRANGE CGUNTY
BGARD GF CGMMISSIGNERS
ACTIGN AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 5, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. ~ ~' ~'
SUBJECT; Resolution Reaffirming Support for Taste of Hope Program..,.~,,,__
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: ~Y~N~ No
ATTACHMENT~S~:
INFGRMATIGN CGNTACT:
Draft Resolution Reaffirming Support for Frank Clifton, 245-2300
the Taste of Hope Customer
Assistance Program Sponsored by
the Inter-Faith Council for Social
Service and the Grange Water and
SewerAuthorit
PURPOSE: To approve a resolution reaffirming support for the Taste of Hope Customer
Assistance Program sponsored by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) and the
Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC).
BACKGRGUND: The Taste of Hope Customer Assistance Program has been sponsored by
GWASA and IFC since 199?. The program provides the opportunity for GWASA customers to
have their monthly bills automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar and the additional funds
serve as a donation to help families in need. 1FC administers the "Taste of Hope" program and
allocates the donations to temporarily help GINASA customers when they are unable to pay
their waterlsewerbiils.
aWASA Executive Director Ed Kerwin and Chris Moran with IFC appeared before the Board at
the March 3, 2011 regular meeting and asked that the Board consider a resolution supporting
the Taste of Hope Program. A draft resolution reaffirming support for the Taste of Hope
program and encouraging OWASA customers and others to participate as donors is attached.
FINANC[AL IMPACT: There is no financial impact for the County associated with consideration
of the resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution reaffirming support for the Taste of Hope Customer Assistance
Program and encouraging OWASA customers and others to participate as donors.
z
RES~-~01~ -~0~9
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Reaffirming Support for the Taste of Hope Customer
Assistance Program Sponsored by the Inter-Faith Council for Social
Service and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority
Whereas, these are difficult times because of the slowdown in the economy and
increases in the costs of necessities such as energy and food, and these circumstances
are most challenging for families who have the least resources; and
Whereas, U.S. Census Bureau data show that fihe poverty rate in grange County has
risen to 18 percent, which means that almost one in every five grange County residents
is coping with marginal resources, and the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service IFC}
has reported that the number of families participating in the emergency food assistance
program has risen to 3,00o for the first time in the IFC's history; and
Whereas, when a family cannot pay for water and sewer service, the family's quality of
life is affected in fundamental ways involving health, sanitation, hygiene and food
preparation; and
Whereas, grange County residents have demonstrated in many ways for many years
their commitment to and caring forthe well-being of everyone in the community; and
Whereas, since 1997 the IFC and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)
have sponsored the Taste of Hope Customer Assistance Program to help low to
moderate income OWASA customers when they are unable to pay their water/sewer
bills; and
Whereas, if an OWASA customer decides to become a regular donor to the Taste of
Hope Program, the customer's monthly bill is automatically rounded up to the nearest
dollar, and the added amount goes to the IFC to help OWASA customers; and
Whereas, in the near future, OWASA will announce the option for customers to add any
whole dollar amount to their monthly bills ~$1, $5, $10, etc.} as a Taste of Hope
donation; and
Whereas, the IFC has a track record of commitment and service to families in need in
the Chapel HiII~Carrbora~Southern grange County community since 1963 as a tax
exempt, charitable 501 ~c}~3}organization; and
Whereas, OWASA is a community~owned, non-profit public entity, and in accord with
State law, OWASA does not use its customers' revenues to fund or promote the Taste
of Hope Program; and
3
Whereas, about six percent of OVIlASA's customers are regular donors in the Taste of
Hope Program; and their donations total about $7,404 annually, but the need is much
greater; and
Whereas, an OWASA customer can became a Taste of Hope donor simply by calling
O~IVASA Customer Service at 537-4343, sending e-mail to customerservice owasa.or
or using 4U1~ASA's on-line form at WWW,.,owasa.org; and
.,..,.~W .._~.
'Whereas, the public is also invited to contribute to the Taste of Hope Program with
donations directly to the IFC at 140 VlJest Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County formally endorsed the
Taste of Hope program by resolution adopted on November 18, Zoos;
NSW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDANNED BY THE BOARD QF COUNTY
COMM~SS~ONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY THAT:
1. The Board reaffirms its strong support for the Taste of Hope Customer
Assistance Program sponsored by the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service
and the OrangeWllaterand Sewer Authority; and
2. The Board expresses its sincere appreciation to residents who are already
Taste of Hope donors; and
3. The Board encourages more residents to donate to the Taste of Hope
Program on a regular basis by having their monthly a'~11ASA bills rounded up
to the nearest dollar andlor by making donations directly to the IFC.
This the 5t"day of April, 2411.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
orange County Board of Commissioners