DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2006--Office Depot (NYSE:ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, is donating more than 300,000 backpacks containing basic schools supplies to underprivileged and "at-risk" children during this summer's back-to-school season. This year's program marks an important milestone of one million backpacks distributed to children by Office Depot since the program began in 2001.

Now in its sixth year, Office Depot's "National Backpack Program" supports children ages 5 through 12 in North America and Internationally. In addition, each of the company's retail stores will be distributing backpacks within their communities. During the week of August 7, Office Depot is hosting a number of "Backpack Donation Day" events at its retail stores across the country, presenting backpacks to needy children, non-profit organizations, schools and community representatives, as well as local, city and state officials. Moreover, new for this year is the fact that backpacks will be distributed through several national charities focused on education, disaster relief, violence and domestic abuse, including:

-- Communities In Schools (CIS)

-- Court Appointed Special Advocates

-- Feed The Children (FTC)

-- Kids In Need Resource Centers (SHOPA)

-- National PTA

-- National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL)

-- Speedway Children's Charities of NASCAR

"Office Depot is very proud to play a small part in helping to provide children with the basic supplies they need to start school through our National Backpack Program," said Chuck Rubin, President of North American Retail for Office Depot. "It is truly an honor for us to reach this milestone of putting one million backpacks into the hands of so many children, and to give our support to the organizations that impact schools and the community in such a positive way."

Please visit www.school.com for information on Office Depot's programs that benefit schools, teachers and children. Information on Office Depot's philanthropic activities can be found at www.community.officedepot.com.

About Office Depot

Office Depot provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company.

Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Delray Beach, Fla., Office Depot has annual sales of nearly $15 billion, and employs approximately 50,000 associates around the world. Currently, the Company sells to customers in 33 countries, and has affiliates in another five.

Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel -- from retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. As of July 1, 2006, Office Depot had 1,071 retail stores in North America and another 322 stores, either company-owned, licensed or franchised, in other parts of the world. Office Depot serves a wide range of customers through a dedicated sales force, telephone account managers, direct mail offerings, and multiple web sites. With over $3.8 billion in online sales, the Company is also one of the world's largest e-commerce retailers.

Office Depot's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index. Additional press information can be found at: http://mediarelations.officedepot.com.

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Copyright Business Wire 2006

Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company. Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Delray Beach, Fla., Office Depot has annual sales of nearly $15 billion, and employs approximately 50,000 associates around the world. Currently, the Company sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 42 countries. Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel -- from retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. Office Depot serves a wide range of customers through a dedicated sales force, telephone account managers, direct mail offerings, and multiple web sites.

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