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Members of the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club stuff backpacks with school supplies at the United Way of Androscoggin County in Lewiston on Friday. For the past five years, the United Way has held the Backpack Project, a group effort where businesses, local residents and volunteers hand children in need backpacks full of school supplies. “We will double the effort this year,” said Joleen Bedard, executive director of the United Way. Bedard had hoped to fill 550 backpacks, but said enough supplies have been donated to fill 1,000. Supplies intended for the Androscoggin United Way effort were mistakenly picked up from the Auburn Big Lots store by a Portland-based nonprofit agency. At first, the supplies were believed to have been stolen and people stepped up to the plate, said Bedard. A grandmother with two grandchildren brought in supplies as well as another man with a check for $100. “People have been very generous,” Bedard said. The backpacks will be delivered to 12 to 14 elementary schools in Androscoggin County. From left are Laurie Pelletier of Litchfield, Nancy Richard of Mechanic Falls and Terri DeFilipp of Auburn.
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