The San Antonio Food Bank has partnered with Google Fiber, Feeding Texas and the San Antonio Public Library to launch a new program, Get Connected!, which provides refurbished laptops to those with no devices at home.
The program, which kicks off Dec. 16, will focus on digital inclusion for low-income San Antonio residents. The intent is to support the approximately 9 million Texans who lack broadband internet access.
According to 2019 data from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, four of the nation's five least-internet-connected cities are within Texas.
Besides laptops, the program will also provide digital literacy courses to the 20 students in its inaugural class, with computer instruction at the San Antonio Public Library. Food bank staff will help attendees explore the food bank's Get Help tab and navigate the Texas Health and Human Services' website for programs that provide support for things like food, health care and addiction counseling.
Food bank staff will also help attendees apply for low-cost broadband access.
Michelle McGuire, chief program officer of the San Antonio Food Bank, said that the Get Connected! program is made possible by Google Fiber, which provided funding to Feeding Texas, the largest hunger-relief organization in the state, to enable them to source refurbished laptops at a discounted rate. Those laptops will then be provided to the San Antonio Food Bank to donate to program recipients in need.
"With many services (requiring) online access, our goal is to ensure families have the resources they need to meet their needs," McGuire said.
Individuals can sign up for the Get Connected! program by calling the San Antonio Food Bank Help Center at 210-431-8326. Those looking to donate gently used laptops no older than four years old and with chargers, contact Client Services Data Processing Manager Yesenia Bazan at 210-431-8380.
