Homes for Computers program now accepting applications

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The City of Columbia, Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and the Downtown Optimist Club are once again partnering to provide surplus refurbished computers to eligible low-income Columbia families as part of the Homes for Computers program.

Applications are available at the VAC office, 403 A Vandiver Dr., and must be completed and turned in to the VAC office prior to the enrollment deadline of Friday, Feb. 14. If there are more applications received than computers available, a drawing will be held at the VAC office.

To be eligible, families must have at least one child in grades K-12; preference is given to those who live within the City of Columbia. Priority is given to families who do not have a computer in their home and have not previously received a computer through the program. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the VAC office at 573.874.2273.

Chosen families will be notified the week of Feb. 17. Computers will be distributed by the Downtown Optimist Club from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29, at Downtown Optimist Club, 1201 Grand Ave., in Columbia. The City’s Information Technology department has worked to prepare the computers for distribution with the assistance of a CARE (Career Awareness Related Experience) student.

The Homes for Computers program was approved by City Council in December 2003. Prior to this program, the City disposed of surplus computers through the University of Missouri, Surplus Property Division. The city determined that donating the computers to families in Columbia was a much better alternative. To date, nearly 700 computers have been given to worthy families through this program.

Staffing and security issues limit this program to the distribution of surplus City computers only. VAC is unable to accept other computer donations at this time. To find out how to recycle old computers and monitors, search the City's "Waste Wizard" by downloading the COMO Recycle and Trash app or visit CoMo.gov/Utilities/SolidWaste.