For children to succeed in school, they need to have the right tools: pencils, pens, crayons and such - and something to carry them in, of course. With these in hand, they can walk out the door each morning with a sense of pride - excited about the day ahead.
Unfortunately, millions of kids are far from properly equipped for school. In fact, untold numbers of youngsters head out in the morning with nothing but a plastic bag to carry their books and school supplies in - if they even have any supplies to carry.
Since 2001, the Office Depot Foundation has worked exceptionally hard to change this troubling reality. By donating great-looking new backpacks containing essential school supplies to deserving children all across the United States, Canada and beyond, we are giving them invaluable tools they can use to succeed in the classroom.
In 2009, the Office Depot Foundation National Backpack Program reached a remarkable milestone when we placed our two millionth backpack onto the shoulders of a child. This year, we will mark the 10th anniversary of the National Backpack Program.
The backpacks we donate are designed with kids in mind - they come in five different color combinations and are sturdy and functional, with two large front pockets and wide, padded straps for comfort and support. You will not find the Office Depot Foundation's logo anywhere on the backpacks - except for a removable paper tag. We want to be sure that children are proud to carry the backpacks they receive, with no risk of being stigmatized by something that clearly identifies it as an act of charity.
In 2009, the Foundation donated approximately 300,000 backpacks through Office Depot stores, in partnership with the Office Depot Business Solutions Division and through special backpack presentation events in some 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada. We are very pleased that Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot®/Old Spice Chevy Impala SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, joined us for several of these events.
In addition, the Foundation distributed backpacks through partnerships with the Tony Stewart Foundation, the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, City Year, Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Feed The Children, the Kids In Need Foundation and the National Foundation for Women Legislators - whose members made donations in all 50 states.
To view photos of several 2009 backpack events, please visit the Backpack Presentations page in our Photo Gallery.
Please note that the Foundation is unable to accept requests for backpacks from individual organizations and schools this year. Please do not contact Office Depot stores to request backpacks. |
