By Sheldon Spackman

Donation Struggles

Tools for School program in urgent need of supplies

Aug 25, 2020 | 10:28 AM

Donations for a local program aimed at ensuring every central Alberta student has the supplies they need for school each year, are way down this year.

That according to Barb Barber, Executive Director for Women’s Outreach in Red Deer which runs the annual Tools for School program. Barber says donations are at the lowest level she’s seen in the last 22 years.

“We are definitely in need of donations for the program,” she explains. “In regards to donation level, we’re maybe at a quarter of where we were last year at this time. But we’re kind of at the same level as far as ‘ask’ – just significantly lower in the donations.”

The Tools for School program sees school supplies collected and distributed to families across central Alberta who have children in Kindergarten to Grade 12, who otherwise could not afford to purchase supplies.

To eliminate the number of points of contact for donation items, Barber requests to either drop them off at Women’s Outreach or the United Way.

Last seen Nov. 28

Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

16h ago

the situation is dire

Two deaths, possibly from cold exposure, raise alarm amid Red Deer shelter situation and plight of homeless community

Dec 12, 2025

Lace-'Em Up!

Red Deer's outdoor rinks returning for another season

Dec 12, 2025

Cash donations can also be made there and also at Staples locations in Parkland Mall and Gasoline Alley.

According to Barber, Women’s Outreach was able to distribute 1,200 backpacks to local students in need last year.

“We probably receive between 15-20 application forms each day, so I’m going to guesstimate we’re going to need probably around 300 backpacks this coming week,” adds Barber. “The one thing that we are good with is backpacks. It’s really just the items to put in them.”