In a bold show of community solidarity, AT &T and The Fresno Center and local partners are giving away hundreds of backpacks, laptops, and school supplies to students in need. This initiative aims to remove barriers to education and ensure every child starts the school year with confidence and opportunity.

This event is part of AT&T’s California Summer of Connectivity, a statewide initiative bringing digital resources directly to communities across California to help bridge the digital divide. The initiative builds on AT&T’s larger nationwide campaign to help address the digital divide by providing laptops and 30,000 backpacks around the state, filled with school supplies to students in qualifying households before they return to school.

The laptops and backpacks, funded by an AT&T contribution, will be given to pre-selected recipients K-16. The event will also feature a community resource fair with close to 20 local agencies offering services and support to families.

Honorees include FUSD (Fort Miller Middle School & Webster Elementary School) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California recognized for their outstanding mentorship and youth development efforts.

Opportunity for photos and video of laptop distribution.

WHO: The Fresno Center staff, volunteers and community partners will be onsite to help distribute the laptops, including:

•             Pao Yang, President & CEO, The Fresno Center

•             Jim Costa, Congressman, 21st District, U.S. House of Representatives

•             Luis Chavez, Supervisor, County of Fresno

•             Nelson Esparza, Councilmember, District 7, City of Fresno

•             Aubrie Tone, Manager, External Affairs, AT&T

And FCOE and FUSD Trustees, Macy Masumoto and Valerie Davis

Interviews with parents or students sharing what this means to them.

WHEN:       Friday, August 22, 2025

                              2:30pm Press Conference

                              3:00pm Resource Fair (20 vendors/organizations; expected attendance: 250 +)

                              4:15pm Laptop Distribution

WHERE:          The Fresno Center, 4879 E. Cesar Chavez Boulevard, Fresno, CA 93727

WHY:               According to U.S. Census Bureau data, millions nationwide still don’t have access to the internet or connected devices needed to fully participate in the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 41% of low-income households in the state still do not have full digital access to both the internet and a device for educational purposes.

This effort is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. This includes distributing more than 30,000 computers to students and their families across California since 2021. 

ONSITE

CONTACT:     Cheri Cruz, Public Relations & Community Relations Director, The Fresno Center 559-728-7214

About The Fresno Center

Founded in 1991, the mission of The Fresno Center is to assist individuals in becoming self-sufficient, self-fulfilled and productive members of the community while fostering cultural preservation and promoting cross cultural understanding. www.fresnocenter.org

MEDIA COVERAGE

• KFSN (ABC) – [Watch Here]

• KSEE (NBC) – [Watch Here]

• KGPE (CBS) – [Watch Here 1] | [Watch Here 2]