This year, Office Depot and its foundation is giving away 3.7 million backpacks and sackpacks to nonprofit organizations, schools and agencies across the United States and internationally.
It’s part of the Office Depot Foundation‘s 15-year National Backpack Program which provides children important tools they need to succeed in school – and in life- at the beginning of the new school year.
“For most children, the first day of school is an exciting time complete with new clothes and back-to-school gear,” says Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong. “But for kids in families where money is tight, the experience can be just the opposite. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to go to school with dignity and hope. The sackpacks and school supplies we donate help to level the playing field and give these wonderful children a reason to stand just a little bit taller.”
The specially designed, drawstring-style sackpacks come in seven bright and colorful designs that are new for 2015. Each one includes a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, six-inch ruler and four crayons. And there are no logos from the foundation or Office Depot or any other brand on the bags.
In July and August this year, the Foundation hosted launch events in Atlanta, San Francisco, New Orleans and Indiannapolis to distribute the backpacks.
The Foundation collaboration partners include the AARP Experience Corps, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, Feed the Children, Food For The Poor, the Kids In Need Foundation, the National Foundation for Women Legislators, Operation Homefront and Samaritan’s Feet International. For the seventh consecutive year, children of the Navajo Nation in Arizona will receive sackpacks.
Good stuff!