HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2011-029 Resolution Reaffirming Support for Taste of Hope Customer Assistance ProgramRES - 2011 - 029
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 Oraye 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 the poverty rate in Orange County has
risen to 18 percent, which means that almost one in every five Orange 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 3,000 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, Orange County residents have demonstrated in many ways for many years
their commitment to and caring for the well-being of everyone in the community; and
Whereas, since 1997 the IFC and t"a 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 Hill-Carrboro-Southern Orange County community since 1963 as a tax-
exempt, charitable 501(c)(3) organization; and
Whereas, OWASA is acommunity-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
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Whereas, about six percent of OWASA's customers are regular donors in the Taste of
Hope Program; and their donations total about $7,000 annually, but the need is much
greater; and
Whereas, an OWASA customer can become a Taste of Hope donor simply by calling
OWASA Customer Service at 537-4343, sending a-mail to customerservicet~owasa.orq
or using OWASA's on-line form at www.owasa.orq; and
Whereas, the public is also invited to contribute to the Taste of Hope Program with
donations directly to the IFC at 100 West 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, 2008;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY THAT:
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 Orange Water and 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 OWASA bills rounded up
to the nearest dollar and/or by making donations directly to the IFC.
This the 5t" day of April, 2011.
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Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners