With its origins rooted in the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, today's Office Depot Foundation seizes the opportunity to help when natural disasters strike. The Foundation supports relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in the wake of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, forest fires and similar catastrophic events and works to assist community-based organizations and initiatives through grants and in-kind donations. A special grant program exists for Office Depot associates who are in need of shelter, food and clothing following natural disasters.

Disaster Relief

Office Depot, through the Office Depot Foundation, was the first company to pledge $1 million to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. In subsequent disasters - the Southeast Asia tsunami, the earthquake in Sichuan Province, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Cedar Rapids flooding, and now the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti - the Foundation has brought its resources to bear. Immediate relief efforts are essential, of course, and we have made numerous financial and in-kind contributions to help people and community in their hours of need. Our leadership has been recognized by the Governor of Florida and the Texas House of Representatives.

Following the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, the Office Depot Foundation reached out with contributions to Doctors Without Borders and Feed The Children. We are in close contact with our non-profit partners and will continue to assist with the relief in the most effective ways that we can. We are proud to be a participant in the remarkable business response to this tragedy.

National Disaster Help Desk for Business - 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP

Not only are individuals affected by disasters, but the business community also feels the impact. Recognizing the key role that businesses play along the entire disaster continuum, the Office Depot Foundation supports the National Disaster Help Desk for Business - a toll-free hotline managed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC). By calling 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP or e-mailing BCLChelpdesk@uschamber.com, businesses that have been affected by disasters can access resources and guidance provided by trained disaster professionals. Businesses that want to help with disaster relief and recovery can also use the Help Desk to find out how they can assist. In just the first three days following the Haiti earthquake, the Help Desk logged more than 500 inquiries. Click here to learn more.

Recovery and Rebuilding

In the Office Depot Foundation's view, disaster relief, recovery and rebuilding is clearly a process, not just an event. After the media leave and the story fades from the front pages, attention must turn to recovery - and rebuilding. In the past few years, the Foundation has funded economic assessment studies and planning expertise to help residents and businesses get back on their feet following wildfires in California, hurricanes on the Gulf Coast and flooding in the Midwest.

In collaboration with and in support of BCLC's Business Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program, the Foundation is viewed as a national leader in of the conversation around the need to take a long-term view of disasters.

On the Brink: Re-Engineering the Nation's Disaster Response Processes