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Computers needed for distribution to low income households [UPDATED]

Published 9:51am Friday, February 8, 2013 Updated 11:58am Friday, February 8, 2013

PCs for People is asking area businesses to identify desktop and laptop computers (8 years old or newer) that they have or will soon be retiring from service and are ready to recycle.

The purpose will be to distribute 100 free computers to area low-income families and individuals who would benefit from personal computer ownership. Donations of workable monitors, keyboards and mice are also needed.

Fergus Falls has been selected to take part in a mobile refurbishing project conducted by PCs for People and funded by the Blandin Foundation and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The project seeks to reduce electronic waste while simultaneously helping bridge the digital divide in Greater Minnesota.

PCs for People’s mobile refurbishing team will travel to Fergus Falls on Wednesday, February 20 to collect all donated equipment. Any donations of 10 or more PCs will be picked up free of charge. Computers will be refurbished on Thursday and distributed to families on Friday. Refurbishing includes: securely wiping all data, making any necessary repairs/upgrades, and installing a new Microsoft Windows 7 license. The Fergus Falls Public Schools is working to identify low-income families to receive the donated computers.

PCs for People is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation headquartered in St. Paul. Since PCs for People started in 1999, the organization has distributed thousands of computers to those in need. PCs for People is a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher, a member of the Recycling Association of Minnesota and the National Association for Information Destruction, and is an authorized vendor by the State of Minnesota.

Business looking to participate in the program and donate their equipment should contact Sam Drong at sdrong@pcsforpeople.com or by calling 612-424-3918.

For more information about PCs for People, go to their website at www.pcsforpeople.org.