Home Care In Orange, NC

COMMUNITY NEWS

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CHAPEL HILL – Due to the current federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits, also referred to as Food Nutrition Services (FNS), came to a halt on November 1st. This program is designed to assist eligible individuals with limited incomes in supplementing their food budgets. Approximately 1.4 million residents of North Carolina will be affected by this disruption, including 9,163 recipients in Orange County, as reported by the NC Department of Health & Human Services.

However, the Trump administration announced on Monday that it will use more than $4.6 billion from an Agriculture Department contingency fund to partially fund SNAP benefits for Americans. Currently, there is no specific date for when the funds will be reinstated; however, the administration cautions that it may take several days for benefits to be distributed to SNAP recipients.

Initially, via a press release last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1, as it stated it could no longer sustain funding due to the shutdown. The program serves approximately 1 in 8 Americans and is a significant component of the nation’s social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein gave sentiments about the decision.

“I am urging the USDA to take immediate action to prevent more than 1.4 million North Carolinians – including children, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families – from going hungry,” said Governor Stein. “Specifically, USDA can deploy federal contingency funds and prevent a disruption of SNAP benefits on November 1. The administration’s refusal to use these available funds as temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is a cruel abdication of the responsibility to support families and communities. Congress owes it to the American people to return to the negotiating table and come together to reopen the government, stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, and ensure stability for hardworking people across our state and country.”

What implications does this have for residents of Orange County?

Residents can still use the funds available on their EBT card. Residents are also encouraged to ensure their contact information is up-to-date with Orange County DSS to receive alerts or notifications regarding SNAP benefits, as well as to visit local food banks for additional resources.

To further inform residents, the Orange County NC government website shared news on what the county is doing to tackle the issue via press release.

“We understand how critical food benefits are for Orange County families,” said Lidnsey Shewmaker, Orange County DSS Director. “We want residents to know that we are monitoring the situation closely and will share updates as soon as we receive official information from the state or federal level.”

Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair, Jamezetta Bedford also added via press release that Orange County and its state partners are working together to make sure residents have accurate information and access to community support.

“This is a federal issue,” said Bedford. “We encourage everyone affected to stay connected and use local resources if needed.”

DSS also informed residents about possible next steps. As a first step, Orange County Social Services plans to coordinate with state agencies to monitor federal updates regarding SNAP funding and distribution timelines. Additionally, the Orange County Food Security Program, in collaboration with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, has prepared local food assistance partners (such as food banks and community organizations) for a potential increase in demand in case benefits are delayed or reduced. This information is available at: go.ncsu.edu/feedorangecounty.

Also, residents in North Carolina can access NC 211, a free health and human services information and referral service that is administered by the United Way of North Carolina. NC 211 is a confidential and multilingual service that is available 24/7 throughout the year to all 100 counties in North Carolina. You can reach them by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162. Furthermore, residents can get food and resources from the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. You can search Orange County food pantries by entering your zip code.

Suzanne Tormollen, marketing director of TABLE Ministries, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization in Carrboro, NC, shared with a local news station that the nonprofit is prepared for the potential impact of SNAP benefit cuts, but losing additional funds would bring even more challenges to families, especially heading into the holidays.

“Right now, there are nearly 7,000 kids on free and reduced priced lunch in Orange County,” Tormollen said. “We’re serving a small portion of it. As soon as we bring families into our program, we do have more families that join our waitlist. So in order to sustainably continue feeding the kids that are on our program now, we have to make sure our numbers do not rise too quickly.”

Ultimately, TABLE hopes to feed 1,250 children and reduce their waitlist by the end of the year. It emphasizes that every contribution helps combat food insecurity in Orange County.

Currently, the organization faces a waitlist of 230 families. Tormollen expresses that it is heartbreaking, but he must add any new families seeking assistance to the waitlist. Even with the support of the food bank and local farmers, they are still unable to meet demand for food.

For more information on snap benefits, visit this link. DHHS: Food & Nutrition Services

Residents in need of immediate food support can contact: Orange County DSS: (919) 245-2800; or by email at [email protected].

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work has previously appeared in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: [email protected]

Syracuse men’s soccer has earned a spot in the ACC quarterfinals against NC State, after their 2-1 win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday.

Syracuse pulled out the close victory against Virginia Tech on two goals from CB Tim Brdaric, as the Orange mainly found offensive success on balls into the box all night. The game was quite close, however, as a late first-half goal by Declan Quinn of the Hokies and a late potential penalty that was called off gave Virginia Tech some life, but the Orange were able to fend them off and move on.

Now looking to the next matchup on the docket for the Orange, NC State will be hosting Syracuse in the ACC quarterfinals in Raleigh, after their 3-0 win over Louisville. The winner of this game will head down to Cary to play in the ACC semifinals against the winner of Stanford and SMU, two teams the Orange have already played this season.

The Wolfpack are 12-1-4 on the season, and are currently ranked 5th in the nation. However, they have gone 4-3-1 in the conference, leading to their lower seed than some other teams. In terms of recent form, they went 3-1-2 in their recent matches, before winning against Louisville, showing that they are not at their best form all season as of right now. Their home record, however, is quite solid at 8-1-3, so Syracuse will definitely have their work cut out for them if they want to move on to Cary.

Of course, the main thing to watch to see how the Orange will do against NC State is their game they played in Raleigh in their last game of the regular season. The game ended 1-1, showing that Syracuse is very capable of playing it close with NC State at their home stadium. In this one, it seems likely that NC State will try to come at the Orange a little differently to try and change the result.

Overall, this game is likely to be challenging, but not unwinnable for the Orange. The season closer showed that Syracuse can keep up with this team, and, in the tournament, with extra time and penalties potentially looming if the Orange can manage another regular-time draw, this makes the threat even more daunting for NC State. NC State definitely has the advantage, but Syracuse can definitely pull a result out of this game and make it back to the ACC Semifinal for the third time in four years.

Syracuse will play NC State at Dail Soccer Field in Raleigh at 6 pm on Sunday, November 9th. You can watch the game on the ACC Network.

The Syracuse Volleyball team (13-11, 5-9 ACC) will wrap up its four-match homestand this weekend, getting set to welcome Wake Forest (11-14, 5-9 ACC) and NC State (11-13, 4-10 ACC) to the Women's Building.

CURRENT STANDINGS

Syracuse enters the weekend tied for 10th in the ACC at 5-9 in conference play with a 13-11 overall record. Wake Forest also sits at 5-9 in the ACC, making Friday's matchup a direct battle for positioning, while NC State stands just one game behind at 4-10 in conference play. With six conference matches remaining, the weekend will be critical for the Orange to separate themselves from the pack.

SOANA LEA'EA AT THE NET

Soana Lea'ea is coming off her strongest match of ACC play, posting a new high of nine kills in an ACC match against Georgia Tech. The Orange got Lea'ea involved early as she racked up five kills in the first set alone. The graduate transfer finished with a .571 hitting percentage in the tilt with the Yellow Jackets.

The Las Vegas native has been a force at the middle blocker position, recording at least one block in each match this season. Lea'ea is the only member of the Syracuse team to have 10 blocks or more in a match this season, having done so in the win over Boston College in late October.

CAPTAINS LEADING THE CHARGE

The Orange have been guided all season by captains Gabriella McLaughlin and Tehya Maeva, who have led the Orange both on and off the court. McLaughlin leads all Syracuse players with 342 kills through 24 matches, ranking sixth in the ACC, and has recorded 13 double-doubles this season while earning MVP honors at both the UAlbany Invitational and Salt City Classic. Maeva has orchestrated the offense with 811 assists, ranking sixth in the conference at 9.22 assists per set.

DYNAMIC ATTACK

Syracuse averages 12.7 kills per set with a .205 hitting percentage, and a number of different members of the roster get involved in the attack. Close behind McLaughlin is Skylar George, who has posted 10 double-digit kill performances since starting ACC play. George led the way for Syracuse on Sunday, posting a team-high 10 in the loss to Georgia Tech.

The Orange get their middles involved too, with Lea'ea and Zharia Harris-Waddy getting their share of chances to record a kill. Lea'ea has racked up 136 kills while Harris-Waddy has added 121. The two combined for 14 kills in the loss to Georgia Tech.

DEFENSIVE STRENGTHS

Syracuse holds opponents to a .207 hitting percentage, ranking in the top 10 in the ACC. The Orange average 14.43 digs per set, fourth-highest in the conference, with Rana Yamada leading the charge with 310 digs, while McLaughlin has added 255. Syracuse has held opponents under .200 in 11 matches and under .100 on four occasions this season.

SCOUTING WAKE FOREST

Wake Forest enters Friday's match at 11-14 overall and 5-9 in ACC play after splitting last weekend's matches with a win over Notre Dame and a loss to Louisville. Paige Crawford has been the focal point of the Demon Deacons' offense with 290 kills, including an efficient 17-kill performance on a .452 hitting percentage in the victory over Notre Dame.

While Syracuse leads the all-time series 11-3, the Orange have dropped the last two meetings and will look to reverse that trend on their home court.

SCOUTING NC STATE

NC State brings an 11-13 overall record and 4-10 ACC mark to Syracuse on Sunday, still searching for their first ACC road victory of the season. The Wolfpack are coming off a challenging weekend that saw them fall to Louisville before dropping a five-set match to Notre Dame. Courtney Bryant leads NC State's attack with 285 kills and 28 service aces, while the Wolfpack have built their identity on defense, ranking in the top 10 of the ACC in both blocks and opponent hitting percentage.

NC State holds a 14-5 advantage in the all-time series.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow on Facebook, on Instagram, and on X/Twitter.

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ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are preparing to lose food assistance when federal funding comes to a halt on Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not use emergency funds to help cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prompting some concerns here in the Triangle.

"Right now, there are nearly 7,000 kids on free and reduced lunch in Orange County," Suzanne Tormollen of TABLE said. "We're serving a small portion of it."

TABLE delivers healthy food and nutrition education to children living in Orange County. Every week, volunteers prepare fresh food to feed more than 1,000 kids, with the waitlist that Tormollen said is almost 300 as of Tuesday.

"As soon as we bring families into our program, we do have more families that join our waitlist," Tormollen said. "So in order to sustainably continue feeding the kids that are on our program now, we have to make sure our numbers do not rise too quickly."

Tormollen said they're prepared for the potential impact of SNAP benefit cuts, but losing additional funds would bring even more challenges to families, especially heading into the holidays.

"It's horrible," volunteer Sue-Anne Solem said. "I know it's important work."

TABLE partners with several local farms that harvest and bring fresh food, such as Faithfull Farms in Chapel Hill.

"It's a very tough time," owner Howard Allen said.

Allen has worked with TABLE for more than a year and said the demand has grown. He said it's important for him to continue providing hunger relief to the community.

"Every time I go to the grocery store, the prices seem to be a little bit higher," Allen said. "I am concerned for my neighbors and also folks in my community."