Back in August, we wrote about a problem that was about to land in a lot of families’ homes. The AI boom has been swallowing up the memory and storage that go into ordinary computers, and the forecasts were not encouraging: the entry level laptops that families buy when budgets are tight were expected to take the hardest hit. That post ran the same week our School D.A.Y.S campaign opened, and PCs for People was able to help 1,000 eligible families receive some relief from inflated tech prices that have strained their household finances.
Here’s how that went.
1,000 families received a refurbished laptop, headset, and backpack.
The laptop can handle homework, college applications, and everything in between. The headset makes virtual classes and completing homework more accessible in homes that are never quiet. The brand new backpack is dual purpose, it can hold it all and means that a student can walk into first period feeling like everyone else.
D.A.Y.S. stands for “Dents Are Your Savings”, which reflects the simple idea that minor cosmetic wear shouldn’t send a reliable computer to the landfill, especially when it can improve the quality of a student’s education. We gave away 500 bundles completely free of cost at our Mission Markets, and sent out 500 bundles online that were delivered for just $25.
Our St. Paul, Minnesota team wiped, refurbished, tested and packed every device by hand, making it possible to uphold our mission of digital inclusion and environmental responsibility. To everyone who prepared a device, served a family, or spread the word: thank you.
“Nothing compares to the sparkle in a child’s eyes or the smile that lights up their face when they feel loved and remembered. True giving is not measured by the size of the gift, but by the happiness it brings and the hope it inspires,” Taysir Nassir, Mission Market Representative in Mankato, MN.
Our doors are still open
Our 2026 School D.A.Y.S. campaign has closed for the year, but our Mission Markets and our online store are open year round. Anyone can buy a refurbished laptop or desktop at a price built for a real budget, sign up for low cost home internet, or pick up accessories and support.
Coming up, PCs for People is celebrating Digital Inclusion Week from October 4–10, 2026. Make sure you stop by our Mission Markets to participate in a digital inclusion learning opportunity, and receive a pair of branded PCs for People shades. Stay tuned on social media to learn more on how you can participate.
We’re always happy to see you in-person at our Mission Markets, view our locations here. Can’t stop by? Visit our online store.
Want to contribute to digital equity?
Contribute to our mission of making digital equity a reality: donate here.
If you have old tech you don’t know what to do with, drop it off at one of our Mission Markets! If you have 15 or more devices, we’ll even pick them up from you. Learn more about securely recycling your tech for a cause with PCs for People.
The more devices we receive, the more opportunities we have to give back to our communities. Don’t let your old tech collect dust. Bring it to us and let us do the hard work of making it ready for someone in need.
