AT&T and Human I-T, in partnership with nonprofit Mobile Comunidad, distributed 150 refurbished laptops and backpacks filled with school supplies Wednesday to students in need in Fort Davis.
The effort is part of an AT&T employee initiative to equip 30,000 students nationwide in qualifying households with supplies and technology before the start of the school year. Backpacks included notebooks, pencils, headphones and cards of encouragement written by AT&T employees.
Jeff Davis County has the highest rate of school-age child poverty in Texas, according to Mobile Comunidad, which launched in 2024 to address rural social service gaps. The group’s flagship program provides hot meals to Fort Davis ISD students, a district without a cafeteria or access to the federal school lunch program.
“Today’s laptop and backpack distribution is an important step in connecting people and place to each other and opportunity,” said Todd Jagger, board president of Mobile Comunidad.
AT&T Texas Director of External Affairs Carlos Martinez said the company was proud to work with Mobile Comunidad and Human I-T to “help close the digital divide” in Fort Davis.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, millions nationwide still lack internet access or connected devices, limiting participation in education, work and other opportunities.
Texas State Sen. César Blanco said access to technology is “critical to future success” for local students.
AT&T has committed $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
