Staples and Joe Kelly Support Boston, Cambridge and Metrowest Teachers with Think It Up™

Staples Gives 173 Public School Teachers the Supplies They Need
through DonorsChoose.org

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced that it funded 214 local
classroom projects in the Boston, Cambridge and Metrowest communities,
as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think it Up™,
a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)
that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers
and schools, creating a culture of excitement about learning everywhere
in America. This fall, Think It Up, in partnership with
DonorsChoose.org, will launch a platform to fund student-powered,
teacher-led learning projects in classrooms across the country.

Red Sox Pitcher and Think It Up ambassador Joe
Kelly attended the announcement in support of Boston’s students and
teachers. “It’s great knowing this generous donation will help make
meaningful learning projects happen in classrooms throughout the Boston
area, thanks to Think It Up, DonorsChoose.org, and
Staples’ commitment to supporting students,” Kelly said.

Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped fund more than
236,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 14
million students. Today, in the Greater Boston area, Staples fully
funded every project on DonorsChoose.org in Boston Public Schools,
Cambridge Public Schools and Metrowest communities. More than $204,000
was donated to help 173 teachers fulfill classroom needs and helped
14,063 students across 85 schools in the Greater Boston area.

“We’re thrilled to fund all of the projects in the Boston, Cambridge and
Metrowest communities and to work with the Entertainment Industry
Foundation’s Think It Up initiative and DonorsChoose.org
to ensure classrooms have the supplies and resources they need,” said
Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, North American stores and online
marketing, Staples. “Through our Staples for Students program, we’re
proud to build on our rich history of supporting education with our $10
million pledge to Think It Up that will make a difference
in America’s classrooms.”

A recent survey conducted by Staples found almost three-quarters of
parents agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 76 percent agree that a lack of
school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most
teachers spend more than $400 of their own money each year to provide
supplies and materials for their classrooms.

“We are so grateful to Staples for their support of teachers and
students through Think It Up,” said Charles Best, founder
and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. “Their incredible gesture today will ensure
that Boston teachers won’t have to dig as deep into their own pockets to
pay for classroom supplies, and that students will have the materials
they need to start the school year right.”

The flash funding in the Greater Boston area is part of Staples’ $10
million pledge to Think It Up which will inspire students
to pursue their passions by working on collaborative learning projects.
To help support the Think It Up movement, customers can
donate one dollar at a Staples store near them or visit www.thinkitup.org
to learn more.

“EIF is truly grateful to Staples for joining Think It Up
as its lead corporate donor, and helping the Boston, Cambridge and
Metrowest communities get the school year off to a terrific start
illustrates how deeply committed the company is to ensuring students and
teachers have what they need to create learning experiences that make a
genuine impact and prepare students for future success,” said Lisa
Paulsen, President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

About Staples

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more
ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery
capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they
want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile devices. Staples offers
more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and break room
supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and
Print services. Staples also offers free shipping for Staples Rewards
Members, in most cases overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples operates in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and
New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About Staples for Students

Staples has a long history of supporting students, teachers and
classrooms. Staples for Students is an ongoing campaign that helps
students and teachers with the school supplies and essential items
needed for a successful education. The Staples for Students campaign
includes school supply donations, support for teachers in classrooms,
donations for education projects, classroom initiatives and the sale of
products that give back to communities and classrooms in need.

About DonorsChoose.org

Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a
classroom in need. At this nonprofit website, teachers at half of all
the public schools in America have created project requests and more
than a million people have donated $330 million to projects that inspire
them. All told, over 14 million students—most from low-income
communities, and many in disaster-stricken areas—have received books,
art supplies, field trips, technology and other resources that they need
to learn.

About The Entertainment Industry Foundation

The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), established in 1942,
harnesses the collective power of the entire industry to generate
awareness and funds for critical health, educational and social issues.
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), EIF’s largest initiative, helps accelerate
the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly. Since its
founding seven years ago, SU2C has launched 16 collaborative “Dream
Teams” comprising over 940 scientists from 123 leading institutions
around the world. That research, including 151 planned, initiated or
completed clinical trials, has led to Food and Drug Administration
approval of two new treatments. In just 15 months, Hunger Is,
EIF’s collaboration with The Safeway Foundation, has significantly
raised awareness of childhood hunger in the United States and over $10
Million to support breakfast, afterschool and out-of-school meal
programs.

Contacts

Staples, Inc.
Kristine Houston, 508-253-8468
Kristine.Houston@Staples.com
or
Carrie
McElwee, 508-253-1405
Carrie.McElwee@Staples.com