Nezzie Smith is already geared up to apply for federal economic stimulus funds as soon as the guidelines are in hand.

She is executive director of Sandhills Community Action Program, the anti-poverty agency serving Moore, Anson, Richmond, and Montgomery counties.

Smith plans to seek additional weatherization funds to supplement the work SCAP carries out on a regular basis to assist low-income families throughout the four-county program area. She also plans to apply for an emergency shelter grant, transportation funds, and funds to serve homeless mothers and children. These are also ongoing programs that SCAP has sponsored for many years.

In the 2007-2008 fiscal year, SCAP provided weatherization for 82 houses. Another 81 are scheduled for the current fiscal year.

Smith said the stimulus money should enable SCAP to serve more families in need and at the same time provide employment for residents and businesses here. She has already attended one workshop on stimulus package protocol and is waiting for additional information, including amounts available and application strategy.

SCAP, an agency dating to the Johnson administration, is funded with federal funds channeled through the N.C. Division of Health and Human Services. SCAP operates from headquarters in the Currie Building in Carthage.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.