CSR Press Release

DELRAY BEACH, FL. - July 8, 2008 - A new grant from the Office Depot Foundation - the independent foundation serving as the primary charitable giving arm of Office Depot (NYSE:ODP) - is helping to pave the way for the recovery of businesses affected by the recent severe flooding in the Midwest. The Foundation today (7/8) announced a $5,000 challenge grant to the Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC).

The donation - which other corporations, foundations and individuals are encouraged to match - will fund an economic/community impact assessment in the region affected by the floods.

"We recognize that the recovery of the business infrastructure in communities hit by disasters is vital to the larger recovery effort," says Mary Wong, President of the Office Depot Foundation and Vice Chair of BCLC’s Disaster Assistance and Recovery Working Group. "Following last year’s wildfires in California, we made a similar grant to BCLC, which proved to be quite successful. We are pleased to make this new donation and hope that our colleagues throughout corporate America will contribute to this important effort."

Assisting communities with disaster relief and recovery is one of the key elements in the Office Depot Foundation's "5 X 5 Program" of strategic priorities, Wong notes. Previously, the Foundation made a $65,000 grant to support the establishment and ongoing operations of BCLC's Business Disaster Assistance Help Desk, which provides toll-free access to disaster assistance for businesses affected by disasters and those that want to help at 1-888-MY BIZ HELP.

In response to the flooding as well as the massive earthquake in China in May, BCLC recently established two funds: the Midwest Flood Recovery Technical Assistance Fund and the China Earthquake Recovery Technical Assistance Fund. According to Stephen Jordan, BCLC Executive Director, "These funds will allow BCLC to dispatch impact assessment teams, provide technical assistance services to recovery managers, contribute private sector perspectives to the recovery planning process, and support local chamber and other local economic recovery organizations. We are grateful for the Office Depot Foundation's leadership in this critically important process."

A number of resources for disaster relief and recovery can be found on the Office Depot Foundation's website at http://www.officedepotfoundation.org/disaster_relief.asp. Donations to match the challenge grant can be made at http://www.uschamber.com/bclc/programs/disaster/default.

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 civil society (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.

About the Business Civic Leadership Center
The Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is dedicated to serving the humanitarian, philanthropic, and civic needs and aspirations of American businesses. Visit www.uschamber.com/bclc.

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