Submitted Photo Children’s and adult bicycles are stored at Community Action for giveaway to agency clients.

A former Community Action Partnership client paid it forward last week with a donation of 19 bicycles to the Minot service agency.

Toby Phillips delivered the bikes Thursday, along with $200 in gift cards that his employer, AGT Foods, donated to support his effort.

“We had quite a bit of involvement and help from Community Action back at Christmas,” Phillips said, explaining that he now wants to give back.

Community Action reported one adult bike will be donated to a low-income resident who twice experienced thefts of bikes he uses for primary transportation. Other adult and children’s bikes will be donated as the need arises in coming months, including to help students needing bike transportation to school. Any remaining bikes will be given away at Christmas. The gift cards could be used to help families purchase household supplies, school clothes or back-to-school items.

Community Action works with employees at Cognizant in Minot to supply about 30 families with filled school backpacks, but the agency also accepts donations toward additional backpacks. School supplies continue to be needed, as are donations toward the emergency food pantry.

Dollar Tree also is collecting school supplies again this year at its stores to aid children of military families. The company explains, “Every day, brave men and women in the armed forces selflessly defend our country and the freedoms we cherish. When they deploy, they leave behind families that often struggle with day-to-day expenses and unforeseen emergencies.”

Dollar Tree is partnering with Operation Homefront to collect school supplies through Aug. 8. Minot stores are located at 401 40th Ave. SW and 2219 16th St. NW.