Did you know that locally 2,895 children and youth age 17 and younger live in poverty?

Our economically vulnerable must make impossible choices every day…choosing between paying rent, paying bills or buying groceries.  September brings an additional financial stress for these families, back to school shopping for all of the basic tools that will contribute to their child’s success.

1 in every 10 households in the City and County of Peterborough have an annual income that falls under 20k. For these families and many others, finding the extra resources to provide these supplies is almost impossible.  Our vision is that everyone in every community has the opportunity to reach their full potential and our Backpacks for Success initiative serves to ensure that all students have the educational tools they need.

Show your support and help students start the 2025-2026 academic year with all the supplies they need to succeed.

Thanks to your support, last year ALL requests from our school communities of KPR and PVNCC District School Boards were provided with 496 backpacks being distributed to local students and new Canadians!

2025 Backpacks for Success Applications Now Open!

Since the Backpacks for Success program launched locally in 2003, United Way Peterborough & District has provided more than 12,886 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local youth in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are financially vulnerable.

United Way Peterborough & District is working with local schools and agencies to identify students who could benefit from the Backpacks for Success program. Parents and guardians of students in need can now request backpacks and supplies for the 2025-2026 school year directly through their school or agency.

Please note: Due to the high volume of requests, we are unable to deliver backpacks directly to individual students or families. All backpacks will need to be picked up by the school or agency coordinating the requests. We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us reach as many students as possible.

Become a 2025 Backpacks for Success Sponsor

We are currently seeking sponsors for our 2025 Backpacks for Success program! Your support will help provide local students with essential supplies —packed with care and ready for learning.

Sponsorship Opportunities Include:

  • Financial contributions
  • In-kind donations (e.g., school supplies, backpacks)
  • Corporate or community group sponsorships

A $500 sponsorship can provide artistic tools, such as crayons, markers, paper, and pencil crayons, for 75 local students, or equip 30 students with essential Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) supplies.

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

For more information, please email amurphy@uwpeterborough.ca, or call 705-742-8839 ext. 25.

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Paul wants 🫵YOU🫵 to have the opportunity to win big, give back and change lives through our monthly 50/50 draws!

Visit the link in our bio to secure your tickets.

Next draw takes place Friday, November 28!

*Ontario residents only. Must be 18 or older to purchase tickets*

#UnitedWayPTBO #buildingcommunity #peterborough #5050

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Paul wants 🫵YOU🫵 to have the opportunity to win big, give back and change lives through our monthly 50/50 draws! Visit the link in our bio to secure your tickets. Next draw takes place Friday, November 28! *Ontario residents only. Must be 18 or older to purchase tickets* #UnitedWayPTBO #buildingcommunity #peterborough #5050

On November 11, we remember.
From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we express our deepest gratitude to the brave individuals who served with courage and dedication.
Today, we honour and salute all Veterans as we work towards a brighter future together.
For help and support, dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca

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On November 11, we remember. From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we express our deepest gratitude to the brave individuals who served with courage and dedication. Today, we honour and salute all Veterans as we work towards a brighter future together. For help and support, dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca

❄️ Our first snowfall has arrived, and so has Coats for Community 🧥
We have once again partnered with @path_ptbo to ensure our neighbours stay warm this winter.
📍 Drop-off location: 385 Lansdowne St. E
🗓️ Wednesdays (10-3) and Saturdays (9-3)
We’re collecting (and in urgent need of) BLANKETS, coats, snow pants, sweaters, socks, underwear, gloves, towels, sleeping bags, hand warmers, and more!
❤️ If you’re able to donate, please ensure all items are clean and in good condition.
#CoatsForCommunity

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❄️ Our first snowfall has arrived, and so has Coats for Community 🧥 We have once again partnered with @path_ptbo to ensure our neighbours stay warm this winter. 📍 Drop-off location: 385 Lansdowne St. E 🗓️ Wednesdays (10-3) and Saturdays (9-3) We’re collecting (and in urgent need of) BLANKETS, coats, snow pants, sweaters, socks, underwear, gloves, towels, sleeping bags, hand warmers, and more! ❤️ If you’re able to donate, please ensure all items are clean and in good condition. #CoatsForCommunity

👉 There’s more than one way to make a difference! Paul’s got options, and so do you❤️. Learn more about how you can contribute to your 2025-26 Community Campaign on our website [link in bio].

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👉 There’s more than one way to make a difference! Paul’s got options, and so do you❤️. Learn more about how you can contribute to your 2025-26 Community Campaign on our website [link in bio].

🧥🧣🧤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❤️

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🧥🧣🧤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❤️!

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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.

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🧣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.

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Still reminiscing on Campaign Launch 2025🥹! Learn more about contributing to your 2025-2026 Community Campaign at the link in our bio.
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