Computers 2 Kids is in week two of their Meet the Need donation drive that will run through Oct. 31 in an effort to place personal computers with the thousands of families who have applied for help since March 16.
The non-profit is seeking used computers, laptops and tablets that are no longer used by residents and businesses but can be refurbished for low-income families and kept out of the landfills.
Chief Executive Officer Cheri Pierre said the whole premise of the Computers 2 Kids organization is to take retired electronics, refurbish them, then partner with schools and other non-profits to distribute computers to students who do not have access to technology at home.
“By donating their unwanted electronics, businesses and individuals will enable us to help more students and families who lack technology at home for their education,” Pierre said.
Since 2004, the organization has partnered with schools across San Diego as well as the South County Economic Development Council.
The current drive is being held in conjunction with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cox Communications, the San Diego County Office of Education and District 6 San Diego City Councilman Chris Cate.
Pierre said the non-profit has already fulfilled more than 20,000 requests for refurbished computers since schools were closed in March “to meet the needs of families struggling to help their children complete their education from home,” but still has unfulfilled requests from families and college students.
She noted the increased demand for computers in the immediate weeks after school closures highlighted how many college-age students rely entirely on school computers.
“It’s sad that it took something like this to spotlight the digital disparity and I feel like this is an opportunity for the entire state of California to really make a difference and eradicate a problem that is very real,” Pierre said.
They are working to get access to as many students as possible.
“Right now, we’re updating about 200 systems a day,” Pierre said.
During and after the month-long computer drive “our team will breathe new life into the donated devices so they end up in the hands of a family in need for their children’s education, not in our landfills,” Pierre said.
Cox Communications Senior Vice President Sam Attisha said they encourage businesses of all sizes to donate any computers they no longer use or that may be sitting in storage collecting dust.
“Computers 2 Kids makes the donation process so easy and reusing is the new recycling. Let’s put a device in the hands of all families that have a need,” Attisha said.
Computers can be dropped off at the C2K warehouse, or a pick-up can be scheduled for larger donations. To donate your computer or electronics, or pledge a future donation, visit www.c2sdk.org/meettheneed.
