Comcast, United Way make laptop donation in Bloomington

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Comcast and United Way of South Central Indiana this week announced a donation of 100 laptops to Bloomington residents to help bridge the digital divide.

Recipients include families who participate in early-education and low-cost summer programs through the city’s Banneker Community Center and people who are working with the United Way’s Financial Stability Alliance, which provides resources on training, affordable housing and financial literacy.

“Community partnerships with organizations like Comcast and United Way are invaluable to ensuring Bloomington families can succeed in a digital world,” Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said in a news release. “Achieving true digital equity means making long-term investments across all neighborhoods in the city, and we appreciate Comcast’s and United Way’s commitment and track record in helping us on our mission to achieve exactly that.”

In April 2020, Bloomington conducted a survey to assess how residents use internet services. The survey indicated that a skills gap exists for low-income and older residents, with 50% of respondents saying they lack the skills to use the internet effectively.

“We’re seeing the impact of the digital divide happen in real time—affordability, access, and gaps in digital skills knowledge affect many of the families who participate in the Financial Stability Alliance and Free Community Tax Service programming,” said Randy Rogers, president and CEO of United Way of South Central Indiana. “Working together with Comcast and the City of Bloomington, investments in our community like laptops and continued affordable internet access can—and will—change the lives of the individuals and families our nonprofit partners serve every day.”

The laptop donation is part of Comcast’s Project UP, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment to help improve internet accessibility in the communities the company serves.