In keeping with our "5 X 5 Program™" of strategic priorities, The Office Depot Foundation supports relief and recovery 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. We announced our gift before the hurricane struck and later offered New Orleans officials the entire contents of our area retail stores to help get the city back up and running. In 2004, in the wake of the devastating tsunamis that caused widespread destruction and loss of life in Southeast Asia, the Office Depot Foundation contributed $250,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Contributions have been made more recently in response to a variety of other natural disasters, including wildfires, tornadoes and floods.

Recovery and Rebuilding

In addition to supporting immediate relief efforts, the Foundation is strongly focused on helping communities and businesses with their ongoing efforts to rebuild after the immediate crisis has passed. For example, the Office Depot Foundation's contributions following the Southern California wildfires in the fall of 2007 provided funds for economic assessment studies and planning processes designed to help residents and businesses in the affected areas get back on their feet quickly. To learn more about these efforts, click here.

In 2008, the Office Depot Foundation announced a contribution to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center to support the establishment of the National Disaster Help Desk for Business under the auspices of the BCLC's Business Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program. The help desk serves businesses affected by disasters as well as those that want to help through the toll-free number

1-888-MY BIZ HELP

Following the Midwest flooding in 2008, the Foundation made a $5,000 challenge grant to the Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program. The donation, which other corporations, foundations and individuals are encouraged to match, was intended to fund an economic/community impact assessment in the region affected by the floods. Click here to learn more.

Click here for an update on the results of the economic impact study supported by the Office Depot Foundation. Click here for a list of resources for businesses and individuals.

The Foundation took a similar approach following 2008's devastating earthquake in China and the tropical cyclone in Mynamar. Contributions have been made to the China Youth Development Foundation to help build a new school in China's Sichuan Province and to Doctors Without Borders to assist in its worldwide efforts. For more details, click here.

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