Craig Swafford, with Capital Bank, pumps gas for Kentrail Jones on Thursday at the Kangaroo Express on Tennessee Avenue. The bank participated in the Kasasa Gas Giveaway to give away $4,000 in free gas.Sometimes, even 20 bucks can seem like a miracle.
On Thursday morning, hundreds of cars backed up in St. Elmo as sheriff’s officers directed traffic and men and women in bright red T-shirts pointed people to open gas pumps at the Kangaroo Express on Tennessee Avenue. People waited for hours to take advantage of a promotion that handed out $20 worth of gas to 200 lucky people.
It was a publicity stunt; a way for local banks and credit unions to get noticed and contrast themselves with big, national banks. But those who filled up — or at least partially filled up — said the giveaway was more than just some novelty. It was a much-needed break.
“It’s a blessing,” said Cyria Smith.
She had found a broken taillight on her car earlier in the morning. Her fuel gauge said “E” and she didn’t have a buck to spare. So she borrowed $7 from a friend, hoping it would stretch to cover some red tape to repair the broken light and a few dollars of fuel so she could pick up the kids from school.