JUNCTION - Gallatin County school officials have left non-functioning computers in an aging computer lab just to fill the space. One row of computers, along a far wall, included only two functioning computers among a total of 10.

No more -- the space will now be filled by 10 computers donated by the Illinois Coalition for Community Services. The new computer lab was unveiled Monday.

The ICCS has been busy donating used computers to community centers and schools, Pedro DelGado, ICCS community development specialist, said.

The computers were donated by City National Bank, which upgraded recently and found itself looking for a group that could use the old computers. An ICCS board member worked for City National and arranged the donation, DelGado said.

Pat Frohock, an ICCS board member who lives in Equality, in turn arranged the donation to Gallatin County schools -- a district that is always strapped for cash for high-tech learning tools.

DelGado challenged other banks to do something similar with their older computers. Computers that are being discarded by banks can be useful in schools or community centers, he said.

"We'd like to see more banks get involved in their communities where they can help children," DelGado said.

He encouraged Gallatin County students to write letters to banks asking for old computer equipment.

"You're not asking for money, you are asking for things they are going to give away anyway. Why not give them to you," DelGado said.

ICCS distributed 23 computers in Southern Illinois. Besides the 10 in Gallatin County, eight were donated to the East Washington Street Community Center in Carrier Mills, two were donated to Five Star in Du Quoin and three were donated in Brooklyn, across the river from St. Louis.

The ICCS is planning next week to start meetings in Eldorado about a summer lunch program.

"That's something we take pride in , so kids who have a free (school) lunch can continue to have a free breakfast through the summer," DelGado said.

In many cases, the free breakfast provided by grant funding is the only decent meal a kid might have in a day, he said.

Dianne King, a grant specialist for Gallatin County schools, said there is a big need for summer breakfast programs and after-school programs in Gallatin County.

Most of ICCS' programs revolve around youth. Most of the organization's funding comes through the Department of Human Services Child and Youth Services division, DelGado said.

"Once you are working with youth, you are helping the community as a whole," DelGado said.

Among those who attended the opening were David Phelps, assistant secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation and a former congressman; Gallatin County Superintendent Les Oyler; and Holly Healy, a legislative aide to Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville.