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 Community

Period Promise (formerly 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: Period Promise

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

Happy Mother’s Day 💖

To every mom and mother figure — your love and care make our communities brighter.

2 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18102268090789728
Happy Mother’s Day 💖 To every mom and mother figure — your love and care make our communities brighter.

Do you have an idea to make your community better?

This is your chance to bring it to life.💥 Apply to the Neighbourhood Fund for the chance to receive a small grant and turn your project into something real.

Every big change starts small and it could all start with you!

🔗 Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca
🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 27 at noon

13 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18103396720964256
Do you have an idea to make your community better? This is your chance to bring it to life.💥 Apply to the Neighbourhood Fund for the chance to receive a small grant and turn your project into something real. Every big change starts small and it could all start with you! 🔗 Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca 🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 27 at noon

May is Leave a Legacy Month in Canada. It’s about more than a gift, it’s about the future you believe in.

A future where everyone in our community has the support they need to thrive.

Planned giving is a way to carry your values forward and make a difference for generations to come.

Learn more by visiting our website www.uwpeterborough.ca

5 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18127378141521176
May is Leave a Legacy Month in Canada. It’s about more than a gift, it’s about the future you believe in. A future where everyone in our community has the support they need to thrive. Planned giving is a way to carry your values forward and make a difference for generations to come. Learn more by visiting our website www.uwpeterborough.ca

Today we honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

We listen.
We learn.
We reflect.
We act.

🧡

#MMIWG2S

16 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 17898506991288738
Today we honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. We listen. We learn. We reflect. We act. 🧡 #MMIWG2S

✨ Your mental health matters.

This #MentalHealthWeek, let’s nurture our minds and create space for honest conversations.

Need support? Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca to get connected. 💚

You’re not alone.

3 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18100595951000135
✨ Your mental health matters. This #MentalHealthWeek, let’s nurture our minds and create space for honest conversations. Need support? Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca to get connected. 💚 You’re not alone.

What a day❤️💪🌱.

Our Garden Box Community Build Day brought together volunteers, partners, and community members to build something truly meaningful, together!

Thanks to the incredible teamwork and generosity of everyone involved, this initiative was a huge success.

From start to finish, it was a reminder of what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
We’re so grateful to our partners @scotiabank, @cityptbo , and @chemonghhbc for helping make this day possible.

And we’re just getting started…

Join us next for Day of Caring on June 26 as we continue to show the power of a community coming together.

29 4
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18108794729506072
What a day❤️💪🌱. Our Garden Box Community Build Day brought together volunteers, partners, and community members to build something truly meaningful, together! Thanks to the incredible teamwork and generosity of everyone involved, this initiative was a huge success. From start to finish, it was a reminder of what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose. We’re so grateful to our partners @scotiabank, @cityptbo , and @chemonghhbc for helping make this day possible. And we’re just getting started… Join us next for Day of Caring on June 26 as we continue to show the power of a community coming together.

Happy 70th anniversary to all of our friends celebrating the Peterborough & District Labour Council🥳.

We are so grateful for all that you do for our communities, and can’t wait to celebrate this momentous occasion alongside you, tonight.

Here’s to another 70 years of a thriving organized labour community here in Peterborough!

31 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18073868912651657
Happy 70th anniversary to all of our friends celebrating the Peterborough & District Labour Council🥳. We are so grateful for all that you do for our communities, and can’t wait to celebrate this momentous occasion alongside you, tonight. Here’s to another 70 years of a thriving organized labour community here in Peterborough!

Small Investment, BIG Impact. 💛

The Neighbourhood Fund supports local, volunteer-led projects that help make Peterborough communities better.

Get to know your neighbours, give back to your community, and have fun!

🔗 Apply using the link in our bio
🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 27 at noon

7 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18312908137273862
Small Investment, BIG Impact. 💛 The Neighbourhood Fund supports local, volunteer-led projects that help make Peterborough communities better. Get to know your neighbours, give back to your community, and have fun! 🔗 Apply using the link in our bio 🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 27 at noon

Reaching Home: Indigenous Initiatives Applications Are Now Open! 📣

United Way Peterborough & District is excited to announce new, targeted funding opportunities through Reaching Home for Indigenous initiatives.

🔗 Learn more and apply when you visit the link in our bio.
❗ Applications close May 11, 2026.

16 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18001230098919756
Reaching Home: Indigenous Initiatives Applications Are Now Open! 📣 United Way Peterborough & District is excited to announce new, targeted funding opportunities through Reaching Home for Indigenous initiatives. 🔗 Learn more and apply when you visit the link in our bio. ❗ Applications close May 11, 2026.

🌱Garden Boxes are back, and they’re going fast🌱

These beauties are made by local volunteers! Hand-crafted, solid wood garden boxes are available in two sizes:
• Medium 4 ft box – $45
• Large 6 ft box – $65

Built by community, for community, with proceeds supporting programs and services right here across Peterborough City and County.

A very special thank you to our friends @chemonghhbc for generously providing the materials to make this project possible.

Spring has already sprung, and quantities are limited, so if you’ve been thinking about growing your own veggies, herbs, or flowers this season, now’s the time to jump in!

👉 Reserve yours today by emailing: dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca, or send us a DM for further details!

11 0
Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18434760553184946
🌱Garden Boxes are back, and they’re going fast🌱 These beauties are made by local volunteers! Hand-crafted, solid wood garden boxes are available in two sizes: • Medium 4 ft box – $45 • Large 6 ft box – $65 Built by community, for community, with proceeds supporting programs and services right here across Peterborough City and County. A very special thank you to our friends @chemonghhbc for generously providing the materials to make this project possible. Spring has already sprung, and quantities are limited, so if you’ve been thinking about growing your own veggies, herbs, or flowers this season, now’s the time to jump in! 👉 Reserve yours today by emailing: dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca, or send us a DM for further details!
Donate To the United Way
Donate