LEWISTON – The annual backpack program keeps going and going and going.

Another year, another backpack – and another child provided with school supplies to assist their educational journey.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will hand out backpacks to children from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the B Street Community Center on the corner of Birch and Bates streets.

This is the ninth year packs will be given to children in need who are age 5 and up, said program organizer Dot Treadwell.

Supplies such as notebooks, binders, pencils, paper, crayons and more are donated by local businesses. Alternatively, many donate money for items to be purchased by the association.

Sponsors include the local Police Athletic League, Breakfast Rotary Club, Impala Lewiston, Maine Road Workers, Shaw’s, Staple’s, Bates and L/A colleges, Martini’s, ShareCenter and others.

Last year was to be the final year for the program, but Treadwell said there were so many calls that the association chose to continue it.

Fourteen sponsors helped this year, and volunteers will assist with packing and handing out packs.

Leftovers are given to the schools, Treadwell said.