Volunteers at Carmichael Midas store’s back-to-school giveaway include Midas corporate rep. David Box, Meredith Blake, Joey Swiencki, store-owners Kurt and Victoria Swanson and Martha Ohayon. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - In less than three hours, volunteers at Carmichael Midas repair shop recently donated 250 backpacks to school students.

The annual effort was funded by store owner Kurt Swanson, with the aim of helping families balance back-to-school budgets. The businessman also supplied hundreds of pens, writing blocks and earbuds. To sweeten the deal, there were donuts for all who came.

Although the giveaway was scheduled to start at 9 a.m., dozens of families assembled at the store an hour before Swanson and volunteers arrived to unpack the swag.

“Everyone lined up politely,” Swanson said. “Business was brisk. We were completely out of backpacks and supplies by 11 a.m. No donuts were left, either.”

Swanson and volunteers plan to continue benevolence next year. “Getting kids back to school is an expensive time for many families,” Swanson considered. “We feel great to be able to help in this way.”

Carmichael Midas is located at 6840 Fair Oaks Boulevard.