COLUMBIA, MO (January 19, 2011) -

The city of Columbia, the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and the Downtown Optimist Club are once again partnering to provide surplus, used computers and equipment, including monitors, keyboards and mice, to eligible VAC clients as part of the Homes for Computers program. About 30 computers will be given away by a drawing to clients who are enrolled in VAC programs and services.

Applications are now available at the VAC office, 403 A Vandiver Drive, and must be completed and turned in to the office during the enrollment period, which runs through Feb. 14. If there are more applications received than computers available, a drawing will be held at the VAC office. Eligible families must be current VAC clients. A family consists of at least one child in grades K-12 with a child enrolled in Columbia public schools. The family must not already have a computer in the home. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Cindy Mustard at the Voluntary Action Center, (573) 449-6959.

Winning clients will be notified the week of Feb. 15. Computers will be distributed to the winning clients by the Downtown Optimist Club on Saturday, Feb. 26, between 9 a.m. and noon at 1201 Grand Avenue. 

The Homes for Computers program was approved by City Council in December 2003. Prior to this, 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, 288 computers have been given to worthy families through this program.

Manpower and security issues limit this program to the distribution of surplus city computers only. However, citizens who wish to donate their unused/unwanted computers may do so by contacting the following agencies: 

• FreeCycle, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleColumbiaMO/ 
• Columbia Computer Center, 1122 Lakeview Ave., (573) 442-9445, accepts working computer parts and monitors less than 10 years old
• Dell Recycle Program Recycle or donate, www.dell.com
• Mid-MO Recycling, 6104 Brown Station Road, (573) 474-3997, accepts most items at no charge
• Staples, 115 Conley Road, accepts electronic items, $10 fee applies. Provides pickup of larger items that are too heavy to bring to the store for an additional $10 fee.