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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> December 15,2025 <br /> THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: December 15, at the Orange <br /> County Department of Social Services at 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT:Oscar Fleming, Chris Barnes, Jamezetta Bedford, and <br /> Ann Wilkerson <br /> GUEST: Phil Marsosudiro <br /> BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Jane Garrett <br /> STAFF PRESENT: Lindsey Shewmaker, Social Services Director; Crystal M.Wiese,Assistant Director; Sharron <br /> Hinton, Assistant Director; Rebekah Rapoza, Fiscal Operations Manager; Lakecia Robbins, Economic Services <br /> Program Manager; and Serena McPherson, Administrative Officer <br /> I. Call to Order and Introductions <br /> DSS Chair, Oscar Fleming, called the meeting to order at 4:10 pm. <br /> II. Board Comments <br /> Chris Barnes mentioned that Jane Garrett's father passed away last week and the DSS Board will be <br /> sending over food tomorrow. Also, he had a conversation with Lindsey last week and learned that Toy <br /> Chest registrations for Hispanic families is down over 50% from last year and it's believed to be due to <br /> current government policies. DSS staff have identified an alternative way for toys to be distributed to that <br /> population. <br /> III. Public Comments <br /> None. <br /> IV. Agenda Changes <br /> None. <br /> V. Action Items <br /> On a motion by Chris Barnes, the Board approved the meeting minutes from October and November <br /> 2025. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. <br /> VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision <br /> 1. HR 1 Updates <br /> Lindsey Shewmaker provided the Board with a presentation on the current changes in Food and <br /> Nutrition Services due to HR 1 provisions that have gone into effect. In September 2025, just under <br /> 4,700 households were receiving FNS benefits in Orange County. Residents receive approximately <br /> $2.6 million in FNS benefits per month. During the federal government shutdown, benefits were <br /> late, partial, and then fully restored causing a lot of unnecessary stress for families, especially <br /> approaching the holidays. The County held two food drives on November 8 in partnership with <br /> PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro and PORCH Hillsborough and gave additional funding to IFC and <br /> OCIM to help bolster their pantries. <br /> t <br />