Office Depot Foundation Supports Disaster Relief and Recovery Worldwide with Contributions of $257,000 and 1,000 Backpacks for Children

BUSINESS WIRE --The Office Depot Foundation, the independent foundation serving as the primary charitable giving arm of Office Depot (NYSE:ODP), announced that it has made contributions totaling $257,000 along with 1,000 children’s backpacks to eight non-profit organizations to assist with domestic and international relief and recovery efforts, as well as activities related to disaster preparation and planning.

In the short term, these contributions are assisting in the aftermath of the earthquake in China, the cyclone in Myanmar, and widespread tornadoes, floods and wildfires across the U.S. Moving forward, the donations will help businesses and communities to prepare for future disasters and to hasten their recovery efforts when such tragedies occur.

Recent donations include the following:

China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) - $100,000 for the construction of a school in the area affected by the earthquake that struck China's Sichuan province. Immediately after this disaster, Office Depot associates in China contributed and raised $25,000 for the relief efforts. The Office Depot Foundation is matching this donation with $25,000 and also making another donation of $50,000 from a donor-directed gift received from Office Depot Inc. CYDF is best known for “Project Hope,” which helps dropout students and those at risk of dropping out to continue their schooling in China’s rural, poverty-stricken areas.

Save the Children – 1,000 backpacks containing essential school supplies to help children in the stricken areas when they return to school.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) - $70,000, including $5,000 as a challenge grant to the Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program, a BCLC initiative, to fund an economic/community impact assessment study in the region affected by the Midwest floods; and $65,000 to sponsor the National Disaster Help Desk for Business. Accessible through a national toll-free number (1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP), the help desk serves businesses affected by disasters as well as those that want to help.

Doctors Without Borders - $20,000 for the organization’s efforts to assist in China and Myanmar, as well as its ongoing programs to provide immunizations for vulnerable children and adults around the world.

American Red Cross - $30,000 for disaster relief efforts in the areas hit by tornadoes in the central and southern U.S. as well as assistance in the areas affected by wildfires in Florida.

Nourish America - $5,000 to in assist firefighters and law enforcement officials involved with the disasters in Florida.

Humane Society of the United States - $2,000 for assistance with both domestic and international disaster relief efforts.

SCORE and the SCORE Foundation - $30,000 to support disaster planning, preparation and recovery for small businesses, including the development of resources for businesses on the Office Depot Foundation website.

“The Office Depot Foundation was born nearly 15 years ago in the wake of Hurricane Andrew’s devastating impact on South Florida, where our global headquarters are located,” notes Foundation President Mary Wong. “Through the years, we have steadily expanded our scope to focus not just on disaster relief, but also on the long-term process of recovery and rebuilding. These new contributions help us to accomplish all of these goals.”

The Office Depot Foundation’s emphasis on disaster relief and recovery is one of the strategic priorities included in its 5 X 5 Program™, which also focuses on helping children get ready for life and work, helping non-profit organizations become more professional and productive, enhancing global development and strengthening local communities. To learn more, please visit www.officedepotfoundation.org.