At its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6, the Orange County Board of Commissioners will consider transferring up to $54,000 from the county’s Social Justice Reserve to provide additional support to community partners that provide food for residents facing food insecurity.
Orange County Manager Travis Myren will recommend a budget amendment that would allocate funding to the following organizations:
- Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC) – $15,000
- Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM) – $15,000
- PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro – $12,000
- PORCH Hillsborough – $12,000
If approved these funds will help ensure that food service and distribution events continue to meet the needs of residents across the county.
Upcoming emergency food distribution dates and times in partnership with PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro and PORCH Hillsborough:
- Saturday, Nov. 8
12 to 4 p.m. – McDougle Middle School, 900 Old Fayetteville Road, Chapel Hill
- Saturday, Nov. 8
10 a.m., while supplies last – 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough (Parking lot of Orange County DSS)
These food distributions will be first-come, first served drive-through events and are open to all residents. People who arrive without a vehicle will be served. Visit orangecountync.gov/transportation or call 919-245-2008 for information about Orange County Transportation Services.
How the community can help
Orange County residents can support neighbors by donating to local food pantries, volunteering at community meal programs, and sharing verified updates from county sources. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry during this federal funding interruption.
For information about how to support local food pantries, visit https://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/foodsecurity/how-to-host-a-food-drive/
Local food assistance resources
Residents in need of immediate food support can contact:
- Orange County DSS: (919) 245-2800; or by email at dssinfo@orangecountync.gov
A full list of resources is available at: go.ncsu.edu/feedorangecounty
Background
Because of the federal government shutdown, as of Nov. 1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — also known as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits — will be delayed and/or reduced until federal funding is restored.
Despite ongoing uncertainty about SNAP/FNS benefits, it’s expected that some recipients would face delays even if the federal government issued the funds today.
In North Carolina, food benefits are loaded every other day on EBT cards from the 3rd to the 21st of the month depending on the last digit of recipients’ social security numbers. Some Orange County residents began experiencing benefit disruptions on Monday, Nov. 3, and more families will be impacted as the month progresses.