The Carmichael Midas store sponsors a backpack and school supplies giveaway on Aug. 1.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael’s Midas Auto Repair will next month continue a five-year tradition that helps families stay on-budget as children return to school.

The Fair Oaks Boulevard store will donate 200 new backpacks to students from K-12 up. The giveaway includes pens, pencils, erasers, writing blocks and earbuds. To sweeten the deal, Midas owner Kurt Swanson offers free snow cones to all comers.  

“We usually run out before noon,” said Swanson. "But our offer’s good while supplies last. It’s great to meet kids and help families.”

Himself a parent of one, Swanson sympathized with breadwinners who struggle to fund classroom needs when schools reopen. “It seems everything gets more expensive every year,” he noted. “Last year, kids and parents were lined up an hour before the giveaway was supposed to start. We feel great being able to give back the community in this way.”

Any family can participate in the giveaway that begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Organizers won’t provide supplies to adults without children. As the dealership has limited customer parking, visitors are requested to leave cars on Landis Avenue.

Carmichael Midas is located at 6840 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael.