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Today’s Office Depot Foundation was born out of the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, as the company’s South Florida associates and surrounding communities struggled to get their lives and businesses back to normal. It was formally structured as the Office Depot Disaster Relief Foundation in 1994. Its primary objective was to provide interest-free loans to associates who had incurred a catastrophic loss, such as a natural disaster, fire or the death of an immediate family member.
In 2005, the Office Depot Foundation provided more than 200 loans valued at nearly $250,000 to Office Depot associates in the Gulf Coast area and in Florida following Hurricane Wilma, which passed almost directly over the company’s Delray Beach, Fla., Corporate Headquarters.
In 2007, corporate citizenship at Office Depot entered a new era as the Office Depot Foundation took on a broad new role with responsibility for several strategic priorities designed to demonstrate the company’s commitment to making a difference around the world. These priorities include a strong focus on enhancing quality of life for children and helping to strengthen communities for the future. In addition, the Foundation will continue to be responsible for disaster relief and recovery efforts.
The Office Depot Foundation now has responsibility for most of the programs that had been carried out by the Department of Community Relations at Office Depot, including
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The National Backpack Program - which began in 2001 and will celebrate the donation of its 2 millionth backpack in 2009. |
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In-kind donations of products from Office Depot stores and warehouses through Gifts In Kind International. |
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Grant requests from local nonprofit organizations and donations that are made in conjunction with the Grand Openings of new Office Depot stores. |
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