(left to right) Jordan Mercier, Ashlee Aitken, Stew Kernan, Pete Dalliday, Scott Arnold, Graham Elliott and Paul Rellinger
The 2025 downtown holiday parking program in Peterborough raised $16,627.85 for Kawartha Food Share, thanks to donations from visitors during the holiday season.
Sponsored by Wolfe Lawyers, the program offered free two-hour parking in all municipal spaces from November 28 to December 31. Any funds paid at meters, pay-and-display machines, or through the HotSpot parking app were donated to Kawartha Food Share.
Mayor Jeff Leal praised residents for their generosity, noting the contributions support neighbours in need at a critical time of year, while Town Ward Councillors Alex Bierk and Joy Lachica highlighted how the program also helps local businesses during the busy season.
Ashlee Aitken, general manager of Kawartha Food Share, said the funds will allow the organization to purchase nutritious food for member agencies and support emergency food programs.
Since 2003, downtown visitors have donated a total of $268,255.50 through the program.
