Free Parking Downtown During Holiday Season Raised $11,488 For Kawartha Food Share

Any money put in the meter during the holiday season when free 2 hour parking was in place went to charity, and generous shoppers stepped up bigtime with their donations. 

Indeed, Peterborough raised a whopping $11,488 for Kawartha Food Share this year through the funds put in meters.

Photo via @brendanwedley

The City of Peterborough’s parking division and the Downtown Business Improvement Area have partnered since 2003 on this free parking initiative, with money put in the meter going to charity each year.

"Once again our community has shown its tremendous generosity," says Mayor Daryl Bennett. "By putting money in the parking machines downtown in December, we are helping to feed people in our community through the efforts of Kawartha Food Share. Thank you to all of the people and downtown businesses that supported this initiative."

Photo via @jamiecsteel

“We could not be more excited to be the recipients of the holiday parking funds again this year!” adds Ashlee Aitken, General Manager of Kawartha Food Share, which assists more than 8,100 men, women and children every month through 36 member agencies.

“This donation comes at a perfect time as we begin to restock our shelves after the very busy holidays and continue to ensure that everyone in Peterborough City and County has safe and reliable access to emergency food."

Photo courtesy DBIA

“We’ve had a very successful holiday shopping season downtown and we’re grateful that we can give back to those who are facing some challenges here in our community,” says DBIA Executive Director Terry Guiel. “Kawartha Food Share provides an important service to many people and we’re happy to see the donation from our downtown shoppers go to such a good cause.”
 
So far, $119,878.41 has been raised over the years for charity from people putting money in the meters during free parking holiday season.

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