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

“This isn’t one of your funnies, is it?”… Campaign stress relief courtesy of Joy in a garbage bag!

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“This isn’t one of your funnies, is it?”… Campaign stress relief courtesy of Joy in a garbage bag!

Racism continues to affect communities across Canada.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we stand for reflection, education, and action to build equitable communities for all!

🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Racism continues to affect communities across Canada.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we stand for reflection, education, and action to build equitable communities for all!

🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

As we wrap up another incredible community campaign, we’re feeling so grateful for the workplaces and organizations that showed up in a big way. ❤️

Workplace campaigns are a cornerstone of the United Way fundraising model. These employee-led initiatives bring people together to learn more about their community and its needs all while having A LOT of fun. From payroll giving, to creative, morale-boosting events, it’s all about making an impact together.

The best part? These shared opportunities to host fundraisers and plan team events create real, lasting change right here in Peterborough.

👀 Check out some of this years events made possible by our incredible workplace teams.

Want to bring this energy to your workplace? ⚡ Send us a DM or visit uwpeterborough.ca to learn more!

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As we wrap up another incredible community campaign, we’re feeling so grateful for the workplaces and organizations that showed up in a big way. ❤️

Workplace campaigns are a cornerstone of the United Way fundraising model. These employee-led initiatives bring people together to learn more about their community and its needs all while having A LOT of fun. From payroll giving, to creative, morale-boosting events, it’s all about making an impact together.

The best part? These shared opportunities to host fundraisers and plan team events create real, lasting change right here in Peterborough.

👀 Check out some of this years events made possible by our incredible workplace teams.

Want to bring this energy to your workplace? ⚡ Send us a DM or visit uwpeterborough.ca to learn more!

🎉 You’re invited!

Join us April 9th as we come together to celebrate the incredible impact of this years United Way Community Campaign.

Whether you were part of a workplace campaign, volunteered, donated, or cheered us on - this celebration is for you!

🎟️ Tickets $25 (includes light refreshments)
🔗 Secure your spot [link in bio]

We can’t wait to celebrate the power of this community, together ❤️.

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🎉 You’re invited!

Join us April 9th as we come together to celebrate the incredible impact of this years United Way Community Campaign.

Whether you were part of a workplace campaign, volunteered, donated, or cheered us on - this celebration is for you!

🎟️ Tickets $25 (includes light refreshments)
🔗 Secure your spot [link in bio]

We can’t wait to celebrate the power of this community, together ❤️.

What you’ve heard is true…
Campaign Celebration is on for April 9th! 🎉

Join us, Thursday, April 9 from 4-6PM as we celebrate another fantastic year of generosity, collaboration, and impact. It’s going to be an evening of fun and community spirit alongside our hard working volunteers, donors, and workplace teams.

👉Get your tickets today when you follow the link in our bio OR send us a DM - we’d be happy to send you the link directly!

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What you’ve heard is true…
Campaign Celebration is on for April 9th! 🎉

Join us, Thursday, April 9 from 4-6PM as we celebrate another fantastic year of generosity, collaboration, and impact. It’s going to be an evening of fun and community spirit alongside our hard working volunteers, donors, and workplace teams.

👉Get your tickets today when you follow the link in our bio OR send us a DM - we’d be happy to send you the link directly!

🌍 Today is World Social Work Day!

The care economy workforce is at the heart of our communities, helping people, strengthening families, and building resilient neighbourhoods.

United Way Peterborough & District proudly supports the people who power the care economy sector and the vital services that touch millions of lives.

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🌍 Today is World Social Work Day!

The care economy workforce is at the heart of our communities, helping people, strengthening families, and building resilient neighbourhoods.

United Way Peterborough & District proudly supports the people who power the care economy sector and the vital services that touch millions of lives.

Our community showed up in a big way for Period Promise 2026!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Peterborough & District, this year’s Period Promise campaign collected 41,556 menstrual products, far surpassing our goal of 25,000 products collected.

That’s over 41,000 items that will now be distributed through our friends @kawarthafoodshare , helping ensure individuals and families have access to essential products they shouldn’t have to go without.

Because the reality is: 1 in 4 people in Canada who menstruate have had to choose between period products and other basic needs.

This campaign is about more than products, it’s about dignity, access, and breaking the stigma.

To everyone who donated, hosted drives, and helped spread the word: thank you for being a part of this impact.

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Our community showed up in a big way for Period Promise 2026!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Peterborough & District, this year’s Period Promise campaign collected 41,556 menstrual products, far surpassing our goal of 25,000 products collected.

That’s over 41,000 items that will now be distributed through our friends @kawarthafoodshare , helping ensure individuals and families have access to essential products they shouldn’t have to go without.

Because the reality is: 1 in 4 people in Canada who menstruate have had to choose between period products and other basic needs.

This campaign is about more than products, it’s about dignity, access, and breaking the stigma.

To everyone who donated, hosted drives, and helped spread the word: thank you for being a part of this impact.

Pizza pie? That’s amore! 🍕

Celebrate Pi(e) Day with a slice from everyone’s favourite, Domino’s Pizza Peterborough. While you’re there, make a donation to United Way Peterborough & District and receive a coupon for ✨FREE cheesy bread✨

That’s right. You give back AND get to enjoy a delicious side of cheesy bread for FREE.

Domino’s Pizza + United Way = The ultimate slice of community impact 🤝

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Pizza pie? That’s amore! 🍕

Celebrate Pi(e) Day with a slice from everyone’s favourite, Domino’s Pizza Peterborough. While you’re there, make a donation to United Way Peterborough & District and receive a coupon for ✨FREE cheesy bread✨

That’s right. You give back AND get to enjoy a delicious side of cheesy bread for FREE.

Domino’s Pizza + United Way = The ultimate slice of community impact 🤝

Sometimes, when you’re this close to the goal… you have to go to great heights to get there. ⬆️

Today, Paul Rellinger, Campaign Chair for United Way Peterborough & District, took to a roof in downtown Peterborough to share an important update: our community campaign is 96% of the way to our $1.6 million goal, with just $61,000 left to raise before March 31.

For many in the community, the rooftop moment may look familiar. Almost 15 years ago, Paul first climbed onto a roof to raise money for United Way through the original Relly on the Roof fundraiser. Today, he returned to remind us what’s possible when our community comes together.

The community has carried this campaign 96% of the way, now we’re asking for your help to raise the final 4%.

Let’s finish the climb together.
🔗 Donate today: [link in bio]

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Sometimes, when you’re this close to the goal… you have to go to great heights to get there. ⬆️

Today, Paul Rellinger, Campaign Chair for United Way Peterborough & District, took to a roof in downtown Peterborough to share an important update: our community campaign is 96% of the way to our $1.6 million goal, with just $61,000 left to raise before March 31.

For many in the community, the rooftop moment may look familiar. Almost 15 years ago, Paul first climbed onto a roof to raise money for United Way through the original Relly on the Roof fundraiser. Today, he returned to remind us what’s possible when our community comes together.

The community has carried this campaign 96% of the way, now we’re asking for your help to raise the final 4%.

Let’s finish the climb together.
🔗 Donate today: [link in bio]

22% of Canadians believe menstruation is a topic that should not be publicly discussed, and that period products should be kept out of sight.

DONATE TODAY!

Visit the Period Promise page on our website (link in bio) to find a list of public drop off locations, as well as a monetary donation page.

Other Ways to Advance Menstrual Equity:
~ Advocate for a basic income guarantee to prevent period poverty before it starts (support Bill S-206!)
~ Provide a variety of free period products in your workplace bathrooms
~ Offer menstrual leave in addition to your sick day policy, as well as related accommodations, including for those experiencing menopause

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22% of Canadians believe menstruation is a topic that should not be publicly discussed, and that period products should be kept out of sight.

DONATE TODAY!

Visit the Period Promise page on our website (link in bio) to find a list of public drop off locations, as well as a monetary donation page.

Other Ways to Advance Menstrual Equity:
~ Advocate for a basic income guarantee to prevent period poverty before it starts (support Bill S-206!)
~ Provide a variety of free period products in your workplace bathrooms
~ Offer menstrual leave in addition to your sick day policy, as well as related accommodations, including for those experiencing menopause

52% of people who menstruate feel the need to hide that they are on their period at school or work.

21% feel the need to hide that they’re on their period even when they’re at home.

DONATE TODAY!

Visit the Period Promise page on our website (link in bio) to find a list of public drop off locations, as well as a monetary donation page.

Other Ways to Advance Menstrual Equity:
~ Advocate for a basic income guarantee to prevent period poverty before it starts (support Bill S-206!)
~ Provide a variety of free period products in your workplace bathrooms
~ Offer menstrual leave in addition to your sick day policy, as well as related accommodations, including for those experiencing menopause

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 17907743313360538

52% of people who menstruate feel the need to hide that they are on their period at school or work.

21% feel the need to hide that they’re on their period even when they’re at home.

DONATE TODAY!

Visit the Period Promise page on our website (link in bio) to find a list of public drop off locations, as well as a monetary donation page.

Other Ways to Advance Menstrual Equity:
~ Advocate for a basic income guarantee to prevent period poverty before it starts (support Bill S-206!)
~ Provide a variety of free period products in your workplace bathrooms
~ Offer menstrual leave in addition to your sick day policy, as well as related accommodations, including for those experiencing menopause

🎉 Celebrating 60 years of generosity with @trentuniversity ! 🎉

Trent University faculty, staff, retirees, and unions came together to raise $124,847 for United Way Peterborough & District’s 2025 Workplace Campaign! 🙌

From signature BBQs to chili cookoffs, Trent’s generosity has been supporting our community for six decades, and the impact is real. ❤️

The community campaign still has a few weeks left to go, help us reach our $1.6M goal by March 31! Every donation counts. Learn more at the link in our bio. 🔗

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🎉 Celebrating 60 years of generosity with @trentuniversity ! 🎉

Trent University faculty, staff, retirees, and unions came together to raise $124,847 for United Way Peterborough & District’s 2025 Workplace Campaign! 🙌

From signature BBQs to chili cookoffs, Trent’s generosity has been supporting our community for six decades, and the impact is real. ❤️

The community campaign still has a few weeks left to go, help us reach our $1.6M goal by March 31! Every donation counts. Learn more at the link in our bio. 🔗

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