Patrick Woodford and Jenna Pederson organize school supplies Tuesday at the United Way of Androscoggin County office on Ash Street in Lewiston. Woodford is one of three employees of Lee Auto Malls who volunteered to fill backpacks for the United Way’s annual Backpack Project. Pederson, of the United Way, said 1,500 backpacks full of supplies will be provided to students in need throughout Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Lee Auto Malls donated $7,500 and the Auburn-Lewiston Breakfast Rotary Club contributed $2,500 for the project. “With the increased cost of living and inflation, it might make it more challenging for families to purchase back-to-school items,” local United Way Executive Director Joleen Bedard said. “This is our way of letting students know that we believe in them and their ability to succeed in school,” she said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Jacie Varney of Hartford organizes school supplies Tuesday at the United Way of Androscoggin County office on Ash Street in Lewiston. She is one of three employees of Lee Auto Malls who volunteered to fill backpacks for the United Way’s annual Backpack Project. Jenna Pederson, of the United Way, said 1,500 backpacks will be provided to students in need throughout Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Lee Auto Malls donated $7,500 and the Auburn-Lewiston Breakfast Rotary Club contributed $2,500 to the project. “With the increased cost of living and inflation, it might make it more challenging for families to purchase back to school items,” local United Way Executive Director Joleen Bedard said. “This is our way of letting students know that we believe in them and their ability to succeed in school,” she said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lee Auto Malls donated $7,500 and the Auburn-Lewiston Breakfast Rotary Club contributed $2,500 for school supplies for the United Way of Androscoggin County’s annual Backpack Project. Individuals also made donations. Jenna Pederson, of the United Way, said 1,500 backpacks will be provided to students in need throughout Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lisa Conley of Lewiston opens boxes of backpacks Tuesday at the United Way of Androscoggin County office on Ash Street in Lewiston. Conley is one of three employees of Lee Auto Malls who volunteered to fill backpacks for the United Way’s annual Backpack Project. Lee Auto Malls donated $7,500 and the Auburn-Lewiston Breakfast Rotary Club contributed $2,500 for supplies. Jenna Pederson, of the United Way, said 1,500 backpacks will be provided to students in need throughout Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal