Exclusive
The little girls who had to use a Taco Bell’s Wi-Fi for school have been blessed with thousands of dollars in donations — money that’ll be put to good use … TMZ has learned.
Jackie Lopez, the woman running the GoFundMe page soliciting funds for the family in the viral photo, raised $142k-plus thus far … and a good chunk of that will go toward the children’s education.
Two students sit outside a Taco Bell to use Wi-Fi so they can ‘go to school’ online.
This is California, home to Silicon Valley…but where the digital divide is as deep as ever.
Where 40% of all Latinos don’t have internet access. This generation deserves better. pic.twitter.com/iJPXvcxsLQ
— Kevin de Leόn (@kdeleon) August 28, 2020
@kdeleon
Lopez says the girls’ mom, Juana, plans on starting a college fund for her three kids — two of whom were seen sitting outside of a Taco Bell with their laptops and notepads. The third child is only a year old, but Juana’s focusing on the long play.
Juana also wants to use some of the money for therapy for her kids. She says the family’s been in and out homelessness and it’s likely had an effect on the kids, so she wants her daughters to talk to a professional.
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Juana’s now looking to buy a mobile home in Salinas. On top of that, Lopez says Juana will upgrade the ice cream cart she uses for work … one of many things she does to earn a living.
You’ll recall … the photo of Juana’s two girls caused quite a stir. Elected officials said it was emblematic of the digital divide in minority communities, and clearly folks were concerned.
Now, people know their contributions will go toward a life-changing cause.
