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Group Surprises Flint Kids With Packs Stuffed With School Supplies

MIKE HOUSEHOLDER, Associated Press

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - A nonprofit group has surprised more than 200 elementary students in Flint, Michigan, with backpacks filled with school supplies.

The students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade gathered for an assembly at Freeman Elementary School's auditorium Tuesday morning. Many of them screamed out in excitement when a curtain concealing the surprise gifts was pulled back.

Within two weeks, the Kids In Need Foundation expects to give away backpacks to 5,500 students in Flint, which has been hard-hit by the ongoing crisis with lead-tainted water.

Lead leached from old pipes into Flint's water supply when the city used water from the Flint River.

The Kids In Need Foundation distributes supplies to students across the U.S. through backpack programs such as the one in Flint, free teacher resource centers and teacher grant programs.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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