Philanthropy + Supplier Diversity = SUCCESS FOR ALL

Personal involvement plays a vital role in Office Depot’s continuing efforts to embrace and spread diversity.

With so much going on in the world these days, it seems now, more than ever, many of us are looking for ways to positively impact our communities. We understand the value and significance of giving back. In 2018, Office Depot launched a new community investment initiative called #depotdifference, which allows their employees to do just that.

As our company continues to change and evolve in exciting ways, so too has the way in which we support the communities where we live and do business. #depotdifference brings an employee-centric, hands-on approach to empower us all to make a difference through robust employee volunteerism and philanthropic giving,” said Alex Price, national director of community investment for Office Depot, Inc.PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAMS SUCH AS START PROUD!™ GIVE OFFICE DEPOT A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION WITH THE DIVERSE CUSTOMER BASE THE COMPANY SERVES.»

They are showing us how doing good benefits the customers, employees and communities. #depotdifference benefits communities through a variety of programs including:

Depot Day of Service

On a designated day each spring, nationwide, associates, family members and friends of Office Depot join in the fun of volunteering in their local large-scale community service project.OFFICE DEPOT’S START PROUD!™ INITIATIVE HELPS CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES START THEIR SCHOOL YEAR OFF WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES.»

Mentorship Movement

This special dimension of the #depotdifference commitment to education in their headquarters of South Florida, offers local associates the opportunity to mentor youth, helping to provide them with much needed support, guidance and inspiration. Through a strategic partnership with the United Way of Palm Beach County’s Mentoring Center, Office Depot associates are matched with mentees of reputable charities, and are given the opportunity to help change the life of a local youth at-risk.

Start Proud!™

Office Depot is currently in the midst of this signature back-to-school philanthropic initiative. This program was created to help foster brighter beginnings for schools in low-income communities nationwide and to give students, parents and teachers the supplies they need to start the school year confident, prepared and proud. Start Proud!™ celebratory assemblies are held at elementary schools across the nation, and include inspiring remarks, the distribution of backpacks and supplies for students and special recognition and gifts for educators.

Season of Service

While #depotdifference is a year-round initiative, their associates are especially active in their communities during the holiday season, when so many are in need of extra support. To spread holiday cheer and put their passion into action, the Season of Service campaign includes heart-warming and meaningful volunteer and philanthropic projects.

With diversity being a top priority for the organization, Office Depot continues to help their customers succeed in their supplier diversity purchasing initiatives while also supporting small and diverse-owned businesses’ growth and prosperity with their 2019 Supplier Diversity Catalog. Being the first in the office supplies industry to create such a catalog in 2009, this year’s edition is in digital format and highlights an assortment of more than 1,700 items ranging from paper and toner, to presentation boards, writing instruments, school supplies, furniture, technology and desk accessories, with more than 600 products also containing eco-attributes or eco-labels. The diversity catalog is available to all Office Depot customers including the Business Solutions Division. The Diverse Supplier Catalog features Office Depot’s complete assortment of products sold by diverse vendors and is available to the company’s Business Solutions Division (BSD) customers. Office Depot’s diverse suppliers are certified minority-, women-, disabled-, LGBT-, veteran-owned and small businesses.

By integrating philanthropy as a key component to their organization and maintaining a strong focus on supplier diversity, Office Depot has created a formula that allows everyone to win.

Office Depot’s Diversity Mission Statement & Commitment

At Office Depot, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all people are valued and respected. Diversity is an important dimension of Inclusion, Innovation and Customer Focus—three of our core values and keys to our success in a global marketplace.

Through our supplier diversity program, we’re proud to offer an exceptional choice of innovative products at affordable prices, and we’re constantly looking for top-quality products and services to offer to our customers. Diverse suppliers help us meet our own company-wide goals while also helping our customers succeed in their supplier diversity initiatives.

TO ACCESS THE DIGITAL LINK FOR THE 2019 DIVERSITY CATALOG VISIT:

business.officedepot.com/diversitycatalog

Information provided by: Alex Price, national director of community investment for Office Depot, Inc.