MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - It was an exciting first day of school for dozens of students in north Memphis. When they arrived at Caldwell-Guthrie Elementary, they found the hallway lined with brand new backpacks.
Each pack was filled with paper, pencils, notebooks, crayons, glue, and everything else they need to do their homework.
There was a new backpack for each student - more than 150 - plus several more to help teachers supply their classrooms.
The backpacks and supplies were donated by a couple local churches, and in large part by Frayser tattoo shop House of Ink.
The shop's owner, "Big Jay" Guzman, explained why he offers free tattoos to customers who donate bags and supplies.
"We have too many businesses, too many owners, too many well-off people in the city of Memphis that we can, if each business did a little something, we can help everybody out."
This is the fifth year the House of Ink collected and donated backpacks and school supplies to Caldwell-Guthrie Elementary.
The school's principal, Lawanda Hill, said it may seem like a small gesture, but it's huge.
"This is what our students need. Giving them pencils, paper, everything they need not only here to do the things they need to do here at school, but they're able to take those supplies home. Sometimes our homes are not equipped with paper and pencils that they need to do homework but because we get so many supplies in excess they are able to have a homework kit at home also, from the donations we receive."
The House of Ink estimates its donations were worth nearly $3,500.
