GONZALES — Gonzales Mayor Jose Rios joined with representatives from Spectrum last week to present a $52,000 check to Loaves, Fishes and Computers, as part of the broadband internet company’s five-year, $7 million commitment to digital education in communities across the country.
The check presentation took place Sept. 15 outside the Gonzales Adult School, where Loaves, Fishes and Computers was also selling refurbished Google Chromebooks to members of the community. More than 100 residents were in attendance to buy the low-cost computers.
Loaves, Fishes and Computers, based in Salinas, trains volunteers to refurbish donated computer equipment in order to provide low-cost, complete computer systems to residents in need. The nonprofit organization is a four-time recipient of funding through Spectrum Digital Education grants, receiving a total of $52,000 for the 2020 and 2021 grant periods.
“We can’t thank Spectrum enough for their generous award of Spectrum Digital Education grants,” said Gabriela López Chávez, executive director for Loaves, Fishes and Computers.
The 2020 grant for $20,000 enabled the organization to provide digital fluency instruction to more than 90 South Monterey County residents, as well as computers. The 2021 grant for $32,000 will allow Loaves, Fishes and Computers to continue its work in Monterey County and expand into Santa Cruz County.
“More than ever, families were in great need of a working computer and reliable internet, and parents were required to become technical experts to support their children’s education,” Chávez said about the 2020 grant period. “Spectrum was a critical partner in serving our community’s needs and we are grateful for their assistance in moving closer to digital inclusion. We greatly appreciate the additional funding in 2021 and look forward to expanding into Santa Cruz County in the coming months.”
Loaves, Fishes and Computers is one of 49 nonprofit organizations that Spectrum is supporting through 2021 Spectrum Digital Education grants. Since launching Spectrum Digital Education in 2017, Spectrum has donated $7 million in cash and in-kind contributions for digital literacy programs reaching nearly 70,000 people in 20 states and Washington, D.C.
“We applaud Loaves, Fishes and Computers for their broadband education initiatives and for helping us support efforts that promote digital literacy in the community,” said Rahman Khan, vice president of community impact for Charter Communications Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of broadband connectivity products. “Through this partnership with Loaves, Fishes and Computers, the Spectrum Digital Education program is able to bring essential resources to those in need, and we look forward to working with them on this transformative project.”
