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Montgomery County continues to distribute 25,000 free computers to eligible residents

Posted on by darion

Montgomery County is reminding residents in need of computers to make appointments for free Chromebook purchases through the Montgomery Connects program.

According to the press release: “Montgomery Connects, the digital equity and inclusion program of Montgomery County, led by the county’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), continues to distribute approximately 25,000 computers free of charge to eligible residents. Computers will be distributed at events until June. Upcoming events include Tuesday, June 18 in Silver Spring; Thursday, June 20, in Germantown; and on Friday, June 21, at the East County Community Center in Silver Spring.

Montgomery Connects previously distributed more than half of the 60,000 free laptops it received through a federal grant to help low-income families. This is the federal government’s third grant program aimed at helping low-income families by providing them with laptops.

“This is the last large-scale computer grant we expect to receive, and we want to ensure that anyone who cannot afford a Chromebook can receive one through the Montgomery Connects program,” said TEBS Director Gail M. Roper.

Registration is open to receive a laptop approximately two weeks prior to the event date. Qualified residents can schedule an appointment to pick up a computer at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer.

A Montgomery County library card number is required before making an appointment. You can get the cards here. Eligible residents must have an email address to schedule an appointment online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer.

If a resident needs assistance, they should call the Marylander Online Helpline at 301-405-9810 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Help is available on request in English, Spanish and other languages.

There is a limit of one computer per resident, and individuals can no longer obtain a computer from the county.

Eligible recipients must be residents of Montgomery County, but do not have to be U.S. citizens. Residents must make an appointment online, certify that they do not have access to a computer, and show up in person to pick up the computer with photo ID and proof of address. To collect the computer, everyone, including children, must appear in person.

Nonprofit organizations looking to help their residents purchase computers can contact Montgomery Connects at (email protected) reserve blocks of meetings on specific dates for large recruitment events.

Schedule of upcoming computer distribution events:

  • Tuesday, June 18, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Center, Pl. Veterans 1, Silver Spring
  • Thursday, June 20, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Rd, Germantown
  • Friday, June 21, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. East County Community Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way., Silver Spring
  • Saturday, June 22, 11:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Contractor’s Office Building (Cafe), 101 Monroe St., Rockville
  • Tuesday, June 25, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Center, Pl. Veterans 1, Silver Spring
  • Wednesday, June 26, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Rd., Silver Spring
  • Friday, June 28, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg
  • Saturday, June 29. 11:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Executive Office Building (Cafe), 101 Monroe St., Rockville”