Some of the food items available at the Roots and Wings office. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Roots and Wings takes flight to address needs of Redcliff students, families

May 4, 2022 | 4:29 PM

A new program started by a Prairie Rose Public Schools teacher will help Redcliff students and families access basic needs like food and clothing.

Eagle Butte’s Scott Raible says as a teacher and working with community groups he often sees families who don’t access supports due to stigma.

So he created Roots and Wings, where there are no questions asked, no forms to fill out and no cost.

“The thought is as teachers and educators we come across students almost every day who could use a hand up and so this is an opportunity and a way to help them very easily,” Raible explains.

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School staff can watch for students and families that may need help and get them info on the program. Families can also reach out themselves for support.

Raible, who launched the program as part of his masters degree work through Gonzaga University, says they want to make sure that whatever students and families need in Redcliff, they can get it, including baby formula and basic school supplies.

“We know that things have been tough there’s been economic hardship as many know in the last couple of years and we know children grow quite fast and so especially with the Alberta winters if there’s a time where a child doesn’t have a jacket, doesn’t have mitts, doesn’t have a boot, they can come to Roots and Wings,” he says. “Or if there’s a situation at home where there’s not enough food to make that cheque go from one month to the other they can come to roots and wings and they can get that rice or that pasta or that soup or whatever they need.”

The program is currently only available to students who attend IF Cox, Margaret Wooding, Parkside Junior High, and Prairie Mennonite Alternative School and operates out of the old Redcliff Mennonite Alternative School.

Families can call their local Redcliff school or email Raible at scottraible@prrd8.ca to get details on accessing the program.

Raible says donations to the program can be made at the Redcliff Public Library and on the last Thursday and Friday of the month at the Redcliff Youth Centre.

The program is sponsored by Prairie Rose Public Schools, Redcliff Library, Redcliff Youth Centre, The Salvation Army, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, The Mustard Seed and Little Munchkins.