United Way & PATH Partner Again This Year to Bring Warmth to Our Community!

As the temperatures begin to drop, United Way Peterborough & District (UWP) and PATH are once again teaming up to bring warmth, comfort, and care to those who need it most.

Now in its third year, the Coats for Community campaign has grown from its roots as the long-running Coats for Kids initiative—first launched in 1986—into a city- and county-wide effort ensuring no one faces the cold unprepared. This campaign collects winter essentials including sturdy boots, new and gently used coats, blankets, sleeping bags, and more for infants, children, youth, families, seniors, and unhoused individuals across Peterborough.

Through United Way’s network of agency partners—and thanks to PATH’s on-the-ground coordination—donations will be collected and distributed continuously throughout the cold weather season, providing timely access to warm clothing and survival items when they are needed most.

“This campaign reflects what community truly means—people coming together to care for one another,” says Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District. “Our partnership with PATH ensures that donations get to the right people at the right time.”

Participating organizations include Big Brothers Big Sisters, YWCA, One City, Good Neighbours, New Canadians Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, YES Shelter for Youth & Families, and many more.

Last winter, the campaign distributed over 2,200 coats—a record-breaking number that surpassed the previous year’s total of 1,844. With the community’s help, United Way Peterborough and PATH hope to reach even more people this year.

How You Can Help

Along with winter jackets, the campaign is seeking donations of:

Sleeping bags and blankets
Sturdy winter boots
Extra-large boxes or bins for collection sites
Heavy-duty coat racks to support our distribution efforts

The campaign kicked off with a three-day public drop-off event, October 16^th – 18^th, at our 385 Lansdowne Street East site. We will be accepting ongoing donations on a continuous basis beginning October 19^th , every Wednesday 9am-3pm, and every Saturday 10am-3pm throughout the winter until May, when overnight temperatures are above zero degrees.

Together, United Way and PATH are creating a PATHway to warmth—one coat, one blanket, one act of kindness at a time.

Click here to sponsor a Winter Survival Kit and help someone stay warm this year!

Growing Hope: Donors Help PATH Launch Empowering Garden Project

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and partners, The United Way Peterborough and District through their Neighbourhood Fund and Delta Bingo & Gaming, Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is planting new beginnings through a community garden project at 385 Lansdowne Street East.

Inspired by the City’s community garden model, this initiative goes beyond growing food — it’s about growing opportunity. Participants from PATH’s Ready for Home program work to tend the garden, from seed starting, to planting, maintenance and harvesting, all while developing important skill sets.

With the guidance of skilled volunteers and donor-funded materials, a group of 10–15 unhoused individuals helped design, build, and care for accessible raised garden beds. In the process, they’ve gained hands-on experience in gardening and carpentry, while finding connection, purpose, and stability.

The garden’s harvest will support PATH participants and be shared with our partner, One City – Trinity Community Centre at their drop in. We have also sold the harvest and preserves to the general public while raising awareness about serving the PATH vision of supporting our unhoused neighbours.

Your continued support makes this growth possible — turning donor dollars into fresh food. Together, we’re planting more than seeds — we’re planting hope!

Meet Our Dedicated Volunteers!

Jim A:

I am a retired High School teacher. PATH is an opportunity to give back to the community I love. I like to cycle, x-c ski and talk politics. I'm also a fan of the Peterborough Petes, Peterborough Lakers and the Montreal Canadiens. I enjoy cooking with unusual ingredients such as lilac blossoms and dandelions. Just don't ask me to fry you an egg.

Paula N:

I decided to join this great network of volunteers because I appreciate the important work they do to care for our community in Peterborough. The other volunteers and staff that I’ve had the chance to work with are all incredibly warm and welcoming. Their work goes a long way to help redistribute essential items to the community. I joined after observing the effects that the housing crisis in Peterborough has on members of my community and wanted to help in any small way I could and I encourage others to join this incredible team to try to do the same.

Amber R:

I volunteer with PATH because I believe everyone deserves dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. PATH gives me the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. Volunteering allows me to give back to my community, build connections, and help create hope where it’s needed most.

Betty B:

Retirement from a rewarding career in local non-profit volunteer management left me fully intent on expanding my personal volunteer profile until suddenly, I was derailed by health factors. On discovering PATH’s need for a recorder for their Steering Committee, I found the ideal fit for my current capacity and my concern for homeless people. I continue to marvel at this tireless team and their ability to create and maintain an operating structure that effectively adapts to local need. Their collaborative relationship with other community agencies is outstanding and doing my small part is both a joy and privilege. Taking the time to explore the extent of PATH’s community outreach will reveal a grass roots organization that is making a practical difference to many lives in this community and is well worthy of your support.