Office Depot - Southern CA Wildfires

Donation to U.S. Chamber from Office Depot Foundation to Help with Recovery after California Wildfires Fuel Cards, Backpacks, School Supplies, Water and Assistance for Animals Also on the Way

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2007--While the danger to lives and property from the wildfires in Southern California remains imminent, the Office Depot Foundation is seeking to ensure that efforts to facilitate the region's recovery can start quickly - and intelligently.

The Office Depot Foundation - the independent foundation serving as the primary charitable giving arm of Office Depot (NYSE:ODP) - announced today that it has donated $15,000 to the United States Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center's (BCLC) Business Disaster Assistance and Recovery Program. The funds will be used to:

Support the organization of a national team of experts to serve as a resource for local authorities in their efforts to benchmark the damage and identify critical requirements for the recovery process.

Aid in the deployment of an experienced disaster recovery team to the region to provide recovery support services for the local business community.
In addition to its support for BCLC, the Office Depot Foundation announced that it is providing $5,000 in fuel cards to the American Red Cross for use by volunteers and emergency response workers. The Foundation also is sending educational supplies, 2,000 backpacks and cases of water to help the children of evacuees. Additionally, a $2,500 donation will be made to support the rescue and safety of animals in the area.

Furthermore, as was the case following Hurricane Katrina, Office Depot stores in Southern California are providing business assistance to impacted communities to help aid in recovery, including free fax, internet and email services, along with cell phone and laptop charging.

"This donation marks the implementation of a new approach to disaster response," said Stephen Jordan, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of BCLC. "Traditionally, most disaster response activities have focused on the immediate crisis, but we've learned that disaster response isn't just about saving lives. Disasters can take a huge toll on jobs and communities years after they've faded from the news. The Office Depot Foundation's gift reflects a strategic, long-term commitment to helping Southern California recover."

"On behalf of the Foundation and the entire Office Depot family, we extend our deepest concern to the many individuals and businesses who have been affected by this terrible disaster," said Mary Wong, President of the Office Depot Foundation. "We are pleased to make these donations that will help the victims of this tragedy both today - and in the weeks and months ahead. It is imperative that the rebuilding process move forward quickly and strategically, and the Foundation is committed to helping ensure the achievement of these goals."

Support for disaster relief and recovery is one of the five-year priorities of the Office Depot Foundation. Known collectively as the "5 X 5 Program," these five strategic initiatives are designed to enhance the quality of life for children, strengthen communities, encourage local and global economic growth, empower schools and non-profit organizations, and to provide support when disasters strike - doing what it can not only to expedite the process of rebuilding, but also to mitigate the impact of future disasters.

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, 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 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 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 over $15.4 billion, and employs approximately 52,000 associates around the world. Currently, the Company sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 43 countries.

Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel -- from retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. As of June 30, 2007, Office Depot had 1,186 retail stores in North America and another 369 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 $4.7 billion in online sales during the last twelve months, 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.

About the Business Civic Leadership Center

BCLC is a 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and serves as a resource and voice for businesses and their social and philanthropic interests. It is the Chamber's lead agency for corporate disaster assistance issues. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million business and organizations of every size, sector and region. Visit www.uschamber.com/bclc.

CONTACT: Office Depot Foundation, Delray Beach
Leon Rubin, 561-251-8075
LRubin@jkggroup.com
or
Office Depot
Melissa Perlman, 561-438-0704
Melissa.Perlman@officedepot.com
or
U.S. Chamber BCLC
Kitty Taylor, 202-463-5708
CTaylor@uschamber.com

SOURCE: Office Depot Foundation

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Disaster Relief
In 2004 and 2005, when significant natural disasters struck the U.S. and other parts of the world, Office Depot demonstrated its strong commitment to helping others. Its assistance came both in the early days of the response as well as later on - when the focus shifted to rebuilding lives, homes, schools and businesses.

Office Depot - through the Office Depot Foundation - was the first company to pledge $1 million to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief - announcing its gift before the hurricane struck. The company later offered New Orleans officials the entire contents of its 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.

Recovery and Rebuilding
The Office Depot Foundation continues to support 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.

Just as importantly, the Foundation focuses its attention on helping communities and businesses with their ongoing efforts to rebuild after the immediate crisis has passed.

Information for Office Depot Associates who have been affected by a natural disaster is available on the Office Depot Intranet.