United Way and Cogeco Provide Over 450 'Backpacks for Success' For Back To School

To help kids get a head start in the classroom, the United Way Peterborough & District teamed with Cogeco on Tuesday to supply over 450 bags for their ‘Backpacks for Success’ for children at the Calvary Church.

Since 2003, United Way has provided more than 13,000 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local students attending Kindergarten through Grade 12. Photo by Pete Dalliday.

“We're proud to continue our partnership with United Way Peterborough & District for the Backpacks for Success Program. said David Feeler, Cogeco manager. “This initiative is vital for our community, helping families and the next generation by providing the essential school supplies every student needs to kick off the school year ready to succeed."

Two local school boards, Kawartha Pine Ridge and PVNCC, and local service agencies requested the backpacks. According to United Way, the cost to deliver the program for the 2024-25 academic year is almost $14,000. Cogeco Peterborough’s investment of $5,000 provides a huge boost to UWP’s fundraising initiative.

“This program fills such an important gap in service locally and we are proud to have been able to provide it for the past 21 years” said Sara Mountenay, United Way development and communications officer. “We rely solely on the generous support of our community to prepare our students for academic success as this fundraising initiative falls outside of the United Way Community Campaign that is used to support our 20 Partner Agencies.”

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