PETERBOROUGH, ON [Tuesday, August 26, 2025] – United Way Peterborough & District has been gearing up for one of the biggest Backpacks for Success distribution days in the program’s history. On August 26, hundreds of backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies will be packed by volunteers and distributed at Calvary Pentecostal Church, ensuring that children across Peterborough and County start the school year confident and ready to learn.
Now in its 22nd year, Backpacks for Success has grown into a truly community-wide initiative. This year, United Way introduced new ways for people to get involved, from the “Good Apple” certificates that gave families the chance to thank educators while supporting local students, to 25 donation drive drop-off locations spread across Peterborough and the County. Workplaces, businesses, and community groups rallied together, hosting drives and raising funds to make sure students have everything need for a successful start to the school year from calculators to crayons.
“Every backpack tells a story of collaboration,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District. “When individuals purchase a Good Apple Certificate, when businesses sponsor, when families drop off supplies at one of 25 donation drive locations, they’re all contributing to a circular investment that comes back to support our kids, our schools, and our partner agencies.”
The program is designed to respond to a growing need in the community. Schools and agencies across the region, from Apsley to Norwood, worked with United Way to identify the number of students who could benefit. In this way, Backpacks for Success not only reaches children in Peterborough’s urban core, but also families in smaller, rural schools where financial vulnerability can be especially pronounced.
“The impact goes beyond the backpacks themselves,” added Russell. “This program reduces pressure on teachers, helps principals support families, and strengthens our partner agencies like the YWCA and the New Canadian Centre. It’s about setting kids up for success while also reinforcing the community supports that help families thrive.”
The culmination of these efforts will be the backpack filling and distribution day on August 26th, where community members and partner workplaces will come together to pack and organize the backpacks for distribution. In many ways, this day symbolizes the campaign’s theme of building community: individuals, businesses, agencies, and schools all working side by side to give local kids the tools they need for the year ahead.
Community members can still take part by making a monetary donation to help cover higher-cost items such as scientific calculators and math kits. Every contribution ensures that more students enter the classroom prepared and confident. Donate securely here: https://bit.ly/406l4Kf.
United Way Peterborough & District is grateful to the many local businesses and organizations who helped make Backpacks for Success possible, including Swish Maintenance Ltd., IG Wealth Management and Auto Connect Sales. Special thanks to the workplaces, agencies, and businesses who hosted donation drives across Peterborough and County, ensuring students are prepared for the year ahead:
- Auto Connect Sales
- Boston Pizza Peterborough North
- Boston Pizza Peterborough South
- Brant Basics
- Cavan Monaghan Libraries
- Gerri’s Arts & Crafts
- Kawartha Credit Union
- Kawartha Downs
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Otonabee South Monaghan Libraries
- Peterborough Child and Family Centres
- Peterborough County
- Shorelines Casino
- Swish Maintenance Ltd.
- Trent Valley Literacy Association
