Backpacks For Success Summer 2025 Locations

Since the Backpacks for Success program launched locally in 2003, United Way Peterborough & District has provided more than 12,886 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local youth in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are financially vulnerable. Thanks to your support, last year ALL requests from our school communities of KPR and PVNCC District School Boards were provided with 496 backpacks being distributed to local students and new Canadians!

Did you know that locally 2,895 children and youth age 17 and younger live in poverty? Our economically vulnerable must make impossible choices every day…choosing between paying rent, paying bills or buying groceries.  September brings an additional financial stress for these families, back to school shopping for all of the basic tools that will contribute to their child’s success.

Show your support and help students start the 2025-2026 academic year with all the supplies they need to succeed.

Learn more or become a sponsor: Backpacks for Success – United Way Peterborough United Way Peterborough

Drop Off Supplies At Any Of These Locations Before August 14th

Auto Connect Sales

1175 Lansdowne St W, Peterborough, ON K9J 7M2
Monday – Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-4pm

Peterborough County

470 Water St, Peterborough, ON K9H 3M3
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Cavan Monaghan Library – Bruce Johnston Branch

2199 Davis Road, Cavan Monaghan, ON K9J 0G5
Tuesday: 10-7
Thursday: 10-5
Saturday: 10-3

Cavan Monaghan Library -Millbrook Branch

1 Dufferin Street, Millbrook, ON L0A 1G0
Tuesday: 10-7
Wednesday: 10-5
Thursday: 10-5
Friday: 10-5
Saturday: 10-3

Otonabee South Monaghan Libraries – Keene Branch

3252 County Road 2, Keene, ON
Tuesdays: 11-7
Thursdays: 11-7
Saturdays: 11-4

Otonabee South Monaghan Libraries – Stewart Hall Branch

1490 Matchett Line/Wallace Point Rd.
Wednesdays: 3-8
Saturdays: 12-4

Otonabee South Monaghan Libraries – Bailieboro Branch

199 Hwy. #28, Bailieboro, ON
Tuesdays: 11:00-6:30
Saturdays: 11:00-4:00

Peterborough Child and Family Centres

201 Antrim St. Peterborough, ON; Lakefield and Norwood programming Spaces

Trent Valley Literacy Association

825 Chemong Rd, Peterborough, ON K9H 5Z5
Monday: 9–4:30
Tuesday: 9–8
Wednesday: 9–4:30
Thursday: 9–4:30
Friday: 9–1

Swish

2060 Fisher Drive, Peterborough ON, K9J 8N4
Monday: 8:00-5:00
Tuesday: 8:00-5:00
Wednesday: 8:00-5:00
Thursday: 8:00-5:00
Friday: 8:00-5:00
Saturday: 8:00-5:00
Sunday: 8:00-5:00

Kawartha Credit Union

1905 Lansdowne St W Unit D1, Peterborough, ON K9K 0C9
Tuesday: 9:30–5
Wednesday: 9:30–5
Thursday: 9:30–6
Friday: 9:30–6

Gerri’s Arts & Crafts

360 George St N, Peterborough, ON K9H 7E7
Tuesday: 10–5
Wednesday: 10–5
Thursday: 10–5
Friday: 10–5
Saturday: 10–4
Monday: 10–5

Brant Basics

296 George St N, Peterborough, ON K9J 3H2
Monday-Friday: 9-5

Kawartha Downs Events

1382 County Rd 28, Fraserville, ON L0A 1C0
Daily: 10am-12am

Boston Pizza – Peterborough Crossing

821 Rye St, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X1
Daily: 11am-2am

Boston Pizza – Portage Place

1164 Chemong Rd, Peterborough, ON K9H 7J6
Daily: 11am-2am

Donations Are Also Accepted At Our Office: https://www.uwpeterborough.ca/contact-our-team/

Social Posts

From all of us at the Peterborough & District United Way, we are wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! We're excited to continue our work with our amazing donors, partners, and volunteers in the years to come.

📅 Reminder: The tax deadline for charitable contributions is December 31.

Show your #LocalLove and donate to United Way Peterborough & District to help build community & change lives. 

Consider donating today, visit the link in our bio to learn more about our work and ways to give.
2025, what a year! 

We’re so grateful for the generosity, care, and community spirit that made these moments possible.

As the year comes to a close, this is also a friendly reminder that gifts made by December 31 are eligible for 2025 charitable tax receipting. Thank you for supporting your neighbours, today and all year long.

Learn more about the ways to give at the link in our bio.

Reminder: there is a secure mailbox located at the front of our office (277 Stewart St.) checked daily.
🚨Reaching Home Funding Applications Are Now Open!🚨

United Way Peterborough & District is happy to share that we are accepting applications from agencies for the Reaching Home program, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

👉 What is Reaching Home? It is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.

Applications close January 22nd, 2026. Find eligibility requirements and full application details on our website:
🔗 uwpeterborough.ca/reaching-home/ or follow the link in our bio
To our neighbours,

As we head into the holiday season, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and commitment to community have meant so much to us throughout the year.

Whether you gave your time, made a donation, attended an event, or simply showed up for local causes, you helped make Peterborough & District a stronger, more caring place.

As of 12:00 pm today (Dec. 24), our office will be closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5. During this time, we hope you’re able to slow down, rest, and enjoy meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, connection, and possibility.
After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, we are sharing the news that our CEO, Jim Russell, will retire in July 2026.

Since joining United Way Peterborough & District in 2011, Jim has been a steady and passionate force for community change, leading more than $36 million in revenue generation and championing critical work to address poverty, homelessness, and income inequality across our region.

Under Jim’s leadership, United Way Peterborough and District has strengthened its role as a trusted community partner through impactful research, including Housing is Fundamental, multiple Point-in-Time Counts, and The Gap reports on income adequacy and living wages.

Jim’s commitment to Peterborough & District, and to building a more equitable, resilient community, has left a lasting mark. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and look forward to celebrating his legacy over the coming months. 

Please join us in congratulating Jim on his incredible contributions to our community!
🎄✨Festive sweaters described in one word only!

We brought the holiday spirit in support of our @unitedwayptbo workplace campaign!

Which one’s your favourite? 🤨

#UnitedWayPTBO #BuildingCommunity
As the holidays approach, we wanted to share a quick update on our office hours.

Our office will be closing early on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as we celebrate the season with our staff, board and committees. We will then be closed beginning at noon on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) through January 5, returning to regular office hours in the new year.

If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please remember that help is available by calling 211, 24/7.

Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨
Looking for food support this holiday season? 

Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals. 

peterborough.ca/foodcalendar
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