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RES - 2011 - 029 <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Resolution Reaffirming Support for the Taste of Hope Customer <br />Assistance Program Sponsored by the Inter-Faith Council for Social <br />Service and the Oraye Water and Sewer Authority <br />Whereas, these are difficult times because of the slowdown in the economy and <br />increases in the costs of necessities such as energy and food, and these circumstances <br />are most challenging for families who have the least resources; and <br />Whereas, U.S. Census Bureau data show that the poverty rate in Orange County has <br />risen to 18 percent, which means that almost one in every five Orange County residents <br />is coping with marginal resources, and the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) <br />has reported that the number of families participating in the emergency food assistance <br />program has risen to 3,000 for the first time in the IFC's history; and <br />Whereas, when a family cannot pay for water and sewer service, the family's quality of <br />life is affected in fundamental ways involving health, sanitation, hygiene and food <br />preparation; and <br />Whereas, Orange County residents have demonstrated in many ways for many years <br />their commitment to and caring for the well-being of everyone in the community; and <br />Whereas, since 1997 the IFC and t"a Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) <br />have sponsored the Taste of Hope Customer Assistance Program to help low to <br />moderate income OWASA customers when they are unable to pay their water/sewer <br />bills; and <br />Whereas, if an OWASA customer decides to become a regular donor to the Taste of <br />Hope Program, the customer's monthly bill is automatically rounded up to the nearest <br />dollar, and the added amount goes to the IFC to help OWASA customers; and <br />Whereas, in the near future, OWASA will announce the option for customers to add any <br />whole dollar amount to their monthly bills ($1, $5, $10, etc.) as a Taste of Hope <br />donation; and <br />Whereas, the IFC has a track record of commitment and service to families in need in <br />the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-Southern Orange County community since 1963 as a tax- <br />exempt, charitable 501(c)(3) organization; and <br />Whereas, OWASA is acommunity-owned, non-profit public entity, and in accord with <br />State law, OWASA does not use its customers' revenues to fund or promote the Taste <br />of Hope Program; and <br />