News

Unsure where your next meal will come from. Lying awake at night worried about making rent. Watching your children shiver after the heat was shut off in the middle of winter. These are real challenges that many Magic Valley families face—and where South Central Community Action Partnership (SCCAP) steps in to help, offering not just immediate assistance but hope and a path forward.

“We are a nonprofit organization that helps economically disadvantaged individuals and families in collaboration with community partners throughout our eight surrounding counties,” explains Angie Carter, Chief Executive Officer at SCCAP. For Carter, the mission is personal. “I have personally been in situations where it has been difficult to make ends meet, I appreciated the bridge to self-sufficiency and am passionate about helping others do the same.”

Five Programs, One Mission

SCCAP operates five distinct programs to serve community needs. Their Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program helps low-income individuals and families by reviewing their individual needs and resources and working to reduce barriers by using several different programs including housing or rent assistance, budgeting and family development. The Self-Help Housing program enables income-qualifying individuals or families to build their own homes, while their Food Assistance Program provides vital nutrition support through distribution of food boxes to eligible households.

The Weatherization program helps families reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency tailored to each home. Their Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time per season support to eligible individuals and families struggling with heating costs.

Community Partnership in Action

First Federal has been a longtime partner in SCCAP’s mission, supporting initiatives like their Empty Bowls fundraiser and providing grants that allow more resources to go directly to households in need. “We can do so much more for low income households with support from First Federal helping us out,” Carter notes. “It is important to build connections and collaborate with community members to provide many different resources and avenues to help those with an economic disadvantage.”

Getting Involved

The food program regularly welcomes volunteers to help assemble and distribute boxes, while the Self-Help Housing program offers opportunities to assist on building sites. Community members can also support SCCAP’s mission through financial donations via their website.

For those seeking services, Carter encourages reaching out. “Please call our office nearest to you and schedule an appointment with our caseworkers. They can assess your situation and, even if we can’t help directly, we can connect you with our community partners who can.”

Through their comprehensive programs and collaborative approach, SCCAP continues building a stronger, more resilient Magic Valley community—one family at
a time.

For more information, visit https://www.sccap-id.org.