Office Depot Foundation Focuses on Louisiana's Recovery with $55,000 in Donations Following Hurricane Gustav

The Foundation today announced $55,000 in monetary and product donations to assist with a variety of relief and recovery efforts. These include:

-- $20,000 to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) to fund an economic impact assessment study, which will help Louisiana government and business leaders to expedite the recovery of the region's business infrastructure, as well as for similar studies following subsequent hurricanes for the rest of this year.

-- $20,000 to Feed The Children to provide food and drinking water.

-- $5,000 to the American Red Cross for its relief and recovery efforts.

-- $5,000 to the Humane Society of the United States for relief and recovery efforts involving animals; in addition, the Foundation facilitated the donation of 15 GPS units to the Humane Society from TomTom.

-- $5,000 to Save the Children for disaster relief shelter supplies.

The Office Depot Foundation's new grant to BCLC brings its total contributions to BCLC for the year to approximately $90,000. The Foundation supports BCLC's National Disaster Help Desk for Business, which is accessible 24 hours a day at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP. Businesses that need help in recovering from a disaster as well as those willing to help others are encouraged to take advantage of this resource.

"The Office Depot Foundation clearly understands that disaster recovery must continue well beyond the immediate relief efforts," says Stephen Jordan, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of BCLC. "With the Foundation's support, we are helping disaster-impacted communities pick up the pieces, and rebuild with the goal of being able to better withstand disasters in the future."

Following the Midwest flooding in June, the Foundation made a $5,000 challenge grant to BCLC's Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program for an economic assessment in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area. The study's results and recommendations have drawn praise from local officials. The report can be viewed at: http://www.uschamber.com/bclc/programs/disaster/midwestfloods_2008.htm

The Office Depot Foundation's emphasis on disaster relief and recovery is one of the strategic priorities in its 5 X 5 Program(TM), 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.

About the Office Depot Foundation

The Office Depot Foundation is an independent foundation that serves as the primary charitable giving arm of Office Depot. In keeping with its mission, Listen Learn Care(TM), the Foundation strives to make a positive impact on many lives in many communities around the world. The Foundation supports a variety of programs that enhance the quality of life for children, strengthen communities, encourage local and global economic growth, and empower schools and non-profit organizations. It also provides support when disasters strike - doing what it can, not only to speed the process of rebuilding, but also to mitigate the impact of future disasters. For more information about the Office Depot Foundation, visit www.officedepotfoundation.org.

SOURCE: Office Depot Foundation

Office Depot Foundation, Delray Beach Leon Rubin, Cell: 561-251-8075, Direct: 706-867-0278 LRubin@jkggroup.com