Community Initiatives

United Way Community Initiatives

Backpacks For Success

Since the Backpacks for Success program launched locally in 2003, United Way Peterborough & District has provided more than 13,000 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local youth in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are financially vulnerable. Each year, this program sees community donors and volunteers come together to make a tangible difference by ensuring that local students are provided with the tools they need to be successful.

Learn More: Backpacks for Success

Coats For Community

We know the need for warm winter coats in our community is great, not just for local youth but for economically vulnerable adults as well. In 2023, we collected and distributed 1,844 coats to residents of Peterborough City and County who were unable to purchase their own.

Learn More: Coats for our Community

Tampon Tuesday

Menstruation products are a basic necessity. But if you’re living in poverty – or vulnerable in other ways – access to tampons, pads, cups or menstrual underwear, can be challenging.

Learn More: Tampon Tuesday

Day Of Caring

Our Day of Caring event brings the community together while demonstrating the power of volunteering. Local businesses partner with United Way Peterborough & District to assist in completing projects at United Way funded agencies. These projects vary and can include construction, restoration, community special events or agency work. By providing a team of volunteers, companies help member agencies complete important tasks. Day of Caring is a unique event that allows businesses to get directly involved in their own community while promoting team building, boosting morale, and increasing  your company’s community profile. The Day of Caring program connects businesses with volunteer opportunities that matter to you and your community.

Learn More: Day of Caring

Seeing is Believing

Seeing is Believing tours are your opportunity to understand other people’s realities, by engaging your employees, co-workers, volunteers, family or friends in finding out more about UWP’s community-building work and partner agencies.

Expect to be inspired, engaged, surprised, and witness – up close – the impact of your contribution on creating long-lasting social change.

If you or your workplace would like to participate in a tour, please contact United Way Peterborough: Contact Us

Social Posts

🧥🧣🧤Our annual Coats for Community drive is underway!🧤🧣🧥
Did anyone else see snow fall in Peterborough this afternoon? We’re collecting gently used coats, blankets, gloves and other warm winter gear in collaboration with @path_ptbo to help keep our neighbours warm heading into this winter season. 
If you have been meaning to donate, tomorrow’s a perfect day to drop by @path_ptbo 
📍385 Lansdowne Street Easy 
🗓️Saturdays 9AM-3PM | Wednesdays 10AM-3PM
Questions? ☎️ (705)-775-7284. 
Every donation counts❤️
The United Way Ultimate Burger Battle starts THIS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1st 🍔🔥!
At our press conference this morning, we asked some of our Burger Ambassadors to dream up their Ultimate Burges in preparation for this month! You can taste along with them at our 8 participating restaurants across Peterborough and the County all November long. 
Every BITE gives BACK - $2 from every burger sold support our work building community and changing lives❤️!
🧣Do you have gently used winter gear? Help our community stay warm this season by donating to Coats for Community. @unitedwayptbo and @path_ptbo are proud to partner once again to help our neighbours face the winter months with dignity and warmth.🧣
📍Drop off at PATH: 385 Lansdowne St. E
🗓️Every Wednesday (9AM-3PM) and Saturday (10AM-3PM) until May 2026.
Still reminiscing on Campaign Launch 2025🥹! Learn more about contributing to your 2025-2026 Community Campaign at the link in our bio.
Our office will be closed on Monday, October 13 and will reopen on Tuesday, October 14. Have a safe and restful long weekend.
Sneak peak at the cutest new holographic stickers for the Campaign trail! Designed in house by our team and manufactured locally by @renegadeapparel 
Perks of running a workplace campaign? Supporting our amazing community AND receiving stylish stickers 😎. 
Reach out for more information and to learn how to get involved with this year’s Community Campaign and help us reach our goal of $1.6 million!
🍦Two scoops are better than one, and so is your impact this year thanks to our matching program!
Your donation can go twice as far this year thanks to our Double Your Difference match challenge! 
✨ New donors: your gift will be matched 100%
✨ Returning donors: increase your gift by 10% or more and the extra will be matched, too! 
Together, we can double the difference for our community and help reach our 2025-26 Community Campaign goal of $1.6 million! ❤️
📲Click the link in our bio to explore the different ways you can give. 
#BuildingCommunity #DoubleYourDifference #UnitedWayPTBO
No tricks here - just treats! 
Run (don’t walk) to grab your tickets for our FIRST EVER monthly 50/50 draw, province wide! 
🎟️Tickets can be found at the link in our bio🎟️
First draw happens on Halloween, Friday October 31! 
Win big. Give back. Change lives.
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