NORWICH – Agencies designed to help families in need year round are working hard to provide families with goods for the holiday season.

Roots and Wings is an emergency services and basic needs program established in 1997 located locally at the end of Berry street. This organization coordinates, assists and help promote opportunities for people to move towards self sufficiency. A Community outreach program is in place to pre-screen applicants for the food stamp program and for all human development. Within the building is a food pantry for income eligible participants. There is a clothing, toys, furniture and more drive on a daily basis to provide anyone who comes to the facility with common needs for themselves or their family. During the holiday season Roots and Wings works closely with the label gallery to take part in the toys for tots program and the organization also provides over 200 families with holiday food gift baskets. Individuals can call and sign up to be included in the toys for tots program until Dec. 15. Baskets will be ready to be retrieved by Dec. 19. Working with Opportunities for Chenango, Roots and Wings works with individuals and families to help them meet immediate needs and encourage them to address longer-term problems.