SAUGUS — The McDonald’s at 127 Broadway in Saugus was bustling with children getting ready to go back to school, as backpacks full of necessary supplies were handed out as part of the “Golden Arches Backpack Giveaway” on Wednesday.

Six out of the nine locations owned by Lindsay Wallin were participating in the giveaway, with Wallin purchasing 1,400 backpacks for her locations.

Director of Operations Vipan Khosla and Wallin’s son, Boden Wallin, were there handing out backpacks to all the children who streamed in.

“McDonald’s has always been about bringing people together. As a locally owned and operated business, that means supporting the families that support us. Today is about more than just giving away backpacks. It’s about supporting our children. We know that the start of a new school year can be both exciting and challenging for many families; preparing for school comes with added financial pressure. That’s why events like this matter,” Khosla said.

Khosla has been working with Wallin for almost 36 years, and the event reminded him of when he was a child back in India getting ready to go to school. He said getting his backpack and uniform ready would get him excited to go to school.

“I’m seeing the same thing here. All of the smiles when the kids come in and ask for a backpack really refreshes my memory,” he said.

Khosla said that while a backpack may seem like a simple item, it’s more than that for children.

“It represents opportunity. It carries books, dreams, goals, and the confidence to walk into school feeling prepared and proud. Every child deserves that feeling,” he said.

The children who made their way over to the station where the backpacks were given away even got to pick out their colors, some knowing right away what they were looking for, while others took the time to think before picking out their backpack.

Oscar, left, and Daniel Acevedo picks out a new backpack during the “Golden Arches Backpack Giveaway” at Lindsay Wallin’s McDonald’s on Route One south.

Lindsay Wallin organized the “Golden Arches Backpack Giveaway” at her restaurants to give kids new backpacks for back-to-school.

Boden Wallin, left, and Director of Operations Vipan Khosla gave out backpacks to kids for back-to-school as part of the “Golden Arches Backpack Giveaway” organized by owner Lindsay Wallin.