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

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.

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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.

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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

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🚨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.

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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!

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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

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🎄✨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. 🎄✨

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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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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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