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
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
Returning for 2026- The Ultimate Burger Battle is our month-long celebration of local flavours, community spirit, and giving. Participating restaurants will create signature ultimate burgers, and a portion of each sale helps support United Way’s initiatives across Peterborough and District.
Learn More: Ultimate Burger Battle
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
Peterborough Performs is a one-of-a-kind evening of live music and community impact. Featuring local musicians, this special event brings people together for one unforgettable night in support of our most vulnerable neighbours.
Join us Thursday, March 4, 2027 as we celebrate local talent, build awareness, and stand united for change.
Learn More: Peterborough Performs
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
Meaningful conversations are the first step toward meaningful change. This morning, our CEO, Jason Seguya, had the opportunity to meet with MP Harrison (@emmaaharrisonmp) to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.
Part of the conversation focused on the recently published Financial Anxiety Index, a national research project undertaken by United Way Centraide Canada and conducted by Léger. The findings are clear: nearly half of Canadians say they could cover their basic expenses for only one month or less if their income were interrupted, and many report that their financial situation has worsened in recent months. The research also highlights that single parents, newcomers, and young people are among those experiencing the greatest financial strain.
Jason also had the opportunity to elaborate on United Way Peterborough & District’s role as the Community Entity for the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program. For more than a decade, we have worked with local partners to administer federal homelessness funding, convene organizations across the sector, and support innovative, collaborative responses that help prevent and reduce homelessness in our community. Since 2020, more than $8 million in Reaching Home funding has been distributed locally to strengthen supports and services for those experiencing homelessness.
We appreciate the opportunity to share these insights and discuss the importance of coordinated community responses to poverty, housing insecurity, and homelessness. We look forward to continuing the conversation with MP Harrison in the months ahead as we work together to build a stronger, more connected community.
Breaking News: Jimothy has officially RSVP`d to our Fill the Fords event on August 8! 🎉
Want to join #Jimothy? Stop by Auto Connect between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to donate new school supplies in support of our Backpacks for Success initiative. Together, we`ll help fill the Fords and backpacks so that students of all ages can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed . 🎒📚💙
United Way Peterborough & District invites community members to our 84th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, August 6, at the McDonnel St. Community Centre.
The evening will begin with a Community Conversation and Welcome Gathering from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., where you’ll have the opportunity to meet our CEO, Jason Seguya, hear about his vision for the future, and join the conversation about strengthening our community together. A reception with light appetizers will follow.
At 5:30 p.m., we’ll officially convene our Annual General Meeting to reflect on the past year, celebrate the impact we’ve made together, and conduct the business of the organization.
Space is limited! Please RSVP using the link in our bio.
🎒🚗 Introducing Fill the Fords! 🚗🎒
We’re teaming up with @autoconnectsales for a brand-new community event in support of our Backpacks for Success program, and you’re invited!
Join us on Saturday, August 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to help us fill the Fords with new backpacks, school supplies, and financial donations for local students preparing to head back to school.
❤️Last year, nearly 500 local students received fully stocked backpacks through Backpacks for Success. With your help, we can make an even bigger impact this year.
Make a day of it!
🍔 Community BBQ featuring offerings from @kingstmarket
🍦 FREE @central_smith ice cream for the first 100 eligible donations (you heard that right)
🐻 Meet some special mascot guests
Whether you donate a backpack, a pack of pencils, lined paper or make a financial contribution, every gift helps a local student start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
📍 Auto Connect Sales 1175 Lansdowne St. West
📅 Saturday, August 8
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Save this post, tag a friend, and help us #FillTheFords for local students! 🛻✨🎒
👏 A huge thank you to @islinsurance for stepping up to support Backpacks for Success this year!
Their workplace donation drive is officially underway, and it`s a great reminder that making a difference is easy, and can start right at work.
Want to get your workplace, business, or organization involved? Hosting a Backpacks for Success supply drive is easy, fun, and has a direct impact on local students as they head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.
💬 Comment "BACKPACK" below, and we`ll send you everything you need to get started, including our workplace toolkit, wish list, and all the details.
Together, we can help ensure every student starts the school year ready to learn. 📚✨
Every great leader has a story... and today, we`re excited to share the beginning of @_thetiffanyshow story as your 2026 United Way Campaign Chair.
As we launch our 85th Community Campaign, we`re turning the page to a new chapter - one rooted in connection, collaboration, and the incredible power of community. Tiffany has spent years shining a spotlight on the people, organizations and stories that make Peterborough & District such a special place to call home. Now, she`ll help lead a Campaign that celebrates what we can accomplish when we come together.
This grand reveal wouldn`t have been possible without the creativity and generosity of Johanna Hawkshaw and the incredible team @yourtvptbo who helped bring our vision to life. Thank you for embracing the fun and helping us tell this story in such a memorable way.
If UW Campaign Chairs came with a Netflix special, we`re pretty sure this would make the final cut 🎬🍿 ...
A special thank you as well to our 2025 Campaign Chair, Paul Rellinger, and our amazing staff for being great sports and helping kick off this exciting new chapter.
Here`s to 85 years of neighbours helping neighbours, and to everything we`ll accomplish together this campaign.
Welcome to the team, Tiffany! We can`t wait to see what we are able to accomplish together.
#UnitedWayPeterborough #CommunityCampaign #85YearsUnited
Now Accepting Applications!📣
United Way Peterborough & District is pleased to announce that we are once again accepting proposals for funding through Reaching Home.
Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy 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.
📝To apply, please visit our website at uwpeterborough.ca
‼️All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
If you’re interested in applying but aren’t sure if you’re eligible, or if you have questions that aren’t answered in the online checklist, please reach out to us at ℹ️ reachinghome@uwpeterborough.ca.
Well prepared and ready to learn! 📚✏️
That’s what Backpacks for Success is all about! Your support helps ensure that students across Peterborough & County have the materials they need to take on the 2026 school year with confidence.
Whether you host a collection drive, become an event sponsor, or make a monetary donation, every contribution makes a difference to school aged students from grades K–12.
📲 Contact us today to get involved!
Clue number TWO✌️!
Every great leader has a story. Can you find the words that help tell the story of our 2026 Campaign Chair?
Drop your guesses below👇…
👀 The first clue has arrived!
Every great leader brings something special to the table, and these six emojis represent just a few things that make our 2026 Campaign Chair who they are ✨
Can you guess who it might be🤔?
22% of Canadians live with a disability.
41% of people in poverty have a disability.
Those numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a call to action.
This #DisabilityPrideMonth, United Way Peterborough & District stands with people with disabilities to break barriers and build communities where everyone belongs.
We invest in accessible community programs and barrier-reduction initiatives as part of a strategic response to this gap.
🤝❤️
Canada looks like the neighbour who checks in. The volunteer who shows up. The community that holds space for everyone.
This July 1, we recommit to a Canada where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
