CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Hundreds of local families will soon gain vital access to technology as AT&T and Compudopt partner with The Salvation Army to distribute free refurbished laptops in Champaign. The event, set for Wednesday, December 10, is part of a statewide effort to put 600 devices into the hands of families who were pre-selected based on need.

The Champaign distribution will take place at 11 a.m. at The Salvation Army Champaign Community Center on North Prospect Avenue. Community leaders and volunteers will be on-site to help hand out the devices and assist families as they receive their laptops.

The initiative comes as millions of Americans continue to face barriers to reliable internet access and connected devices — a challenge commonly referred to as the digital divide. AT&T said the distribution is part of its larger commitment to expand digital inclusion, including a multiyear $5 billion effort to help 25 million people gain high-speed internet access by 2030.

Since 2021, AT&T has distributed more than 7,700 computers and devices to Illinois students and families. Next week’s partnerships with The Salvation Army and Compudopt extend that mission, providing families in Champaign and several other cities with tools that support education, employment, and connectivity.