2025 Downtown Holiday Parking Program Raises Over $16,000 For Kawartha Food Share

The City of Peterborough’s free holiday downtown parking program raised $16,627.85 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) which was collected from voluntary parking payments, announced on Wednesday.

The Kawartha Food Share currently assists 14,000 people each month through its 36 member agencies, and supports 17,000 schoolchildren at 51 area schools through breakfast and nutrition programs. The free two-hour program first began in 2003. Since then, downtown patrons have helped donate $268,255.50 to Kawartha Food Share. Photo courtesy by David Tuan Bui.

“We are so appreciative to be the recipients of this amazing campaign again this year and love to see community members shopping and visiting our wonderful downtown restaurants, organizations and businesses,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “These funds will allow us to purchase nutritious food items for our member agencies, and help ensure everyone in our community has access to emergency food supports. Thank you so much to the City of Peterborough for their continued support in the fight against hunger,”

The program offered free, two-hour parking in all municipal spaces in the downtown core from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31 and was sponsored by Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers.

“We’re proud to have sponsored the downtown holiday parking program since 2021 and to continue supporting an initiative that brings people together during the holiday season,” said Bill Wolfe from Wolfe Lawyers. “Seeing the generosity of downtown visitors translate into meaningful support for Kawartha Food Share each year is incredibly rewarding, and we’re pleased to play a small part in helping make the holidays brighter in Peterborough.” 

@ptbo_canada The Downtown Peterborough Holiday Program (sponsored by Wolfe Lawyers) raised $16,627.85 for Kawartha Food Share! All voluntary parking fees collected from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31 went towards the campaign. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #fundraising ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

“Peterborough residents once again showed the true spirit of the holiday season through their generosity,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “By choosing to donate while enjoying free downtown parking, people helped raise vital funds for Kawartha Food Share and supported neighbours in need at a time when it matters most.” 

“The downtown holiday parking program demonstrates the incredible impact of community support,” said Town Ward Councillors Alex Bierk and Joy Lachica in a joint statement. “Visitors to the downtown core not only contributed to Kawartha Food Share through their generosity but also helped support local businesses during the busy holiday season. It’s a great example of how coming downtown strengthens both our local economy and our community.”

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