Surprise Donation of More Than $117,000 from Staples Funds Local Classroom Projects through DonorsChoose.org

Staples and Katy Perry Help Washington, D.C. Teachers Bring Learning to Life in Their Classrooms

Help Teachers in Your Community and Enter for a Chance to Win $50,000 Scholarship

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced that all college and career prep projects and all literacy projects posted on DonorsChoose.org in Washington D.C. received full funding as part of Staples’ $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org, a charity that has funded more than 700,000 classroom projects for teachers and has positively affected more than 18 million U.S. students.

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As part of the Staples for Students program, Staples and Katy Perry continue to help teachers across the country this back-to-school season. Staples funded the balance of every college and career prep project and every literacy project listed on DonorsChoose.org in Washington D.C. With a donation of $117,795, Staples helped 103 teachers make more happen in local classrooms, impacting more than 8,000 students across 58 schools in the community.

For example, Ms. Covington at Kelly Miller Middle School will receive a laptop, digital voice recorder and digital camera to write and publish manuscripts. These tools will help her students build literacy and language skills to establish themselves as authors and entrepreneurs. These new tools will allow students to transcribe interviews and edit manuscripts on the go, record interviews and document the sequence of events.

Katy Perry said, “When I teamed up with Staples in 2014, I learned firsthand how desperately teachers need our support, with many of them having to dig into their own pockets to provide simple tools that we would expect to already be available in our classrooms. So when Staples approached me again this year, I jumped at the opportunity because I saw the lasting effect our collaboration had on DonorsChoose.org and thousands of teachers and students. I believe in education as the foundation for a great life, so I want to make sure that students across the country are inspired by their teachers and are afforded opportunity to realize their dreams.”

Driven by insight from the Education Market Association that an estimated 99.5 percent of all public school teachers’ use their own money to equip their classrooms, Staples takes great pride in helping to alleviate some of the pressure placed upon teachers.

“We’re overjoyed to partner with Katy Perry again to highlight the impact teachers have on our children’s lives and the need to support classrooms,” said Frank P. Bifulco, Jr., executive vice president global marketing, Staples. “Knowing that teachers spend an average of more than $400 per year from their own pockets to better prepare their classrooms, Staples is committed to supporting DonorsChoose.org in order to help teachers and contribute to a fulfilling learning experience.”

Katy Perry and Staples have also collaborated to create a public service announcement that is currently airing nationwide, further increasing visibility around the need to celebrate and support teachers.

“We’re so thankful for the continued support from Staples and its loyal customers, as well as Katy Perry, which has helped bring classroom dreams to life for countless teachers and students nationwide,” said Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org. “Staples’ million dollar donation to DonorsChoose.org will go a long way to helping educators across the country, like those supported today in D.C.”

Donate in Stores or Snap to Help Local TeachersKaty Perry has been helping Staples raise awareness of how easy it is to support teachers by making a $1 donation either in stores or online at www.StaplesForStudents.com, with proceeds funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Beginning in early August, every customer who donates in-store will receive a free, exclusive Katy Perry pencil, while supplies last.

Washington, D.C. residents can secure more donations for their local classrooms by using the Staples for Students Snapchat Geofilter. Beginning August 11th and running through August 12th, every use of the Staples for Students Snapchat Geofilter will trigger a $1 donation (up to $5,000) from Staples to be used towards Washington D.C. classroom projects on DonorsChoose.org. The Geofilter will be available for use in the Staples store located at 1250 H Street N.W. and in the surrounding area.

Sponsored Geofilters allow brands to take part in Snaps sent between friends on Snapchat – a platform used by over 100 million people each day. When Snapchatters take a Snap in a certain area, they’ll be able to see a Geofilter and use it to explain where, when and why they took the Snap.

Win a $50,000 Scholarship and Chance to Meet Katy PerryNow through September 10, 2016, fans who spend $25 or more in any Staples store will receive a unique entry code on their receipt to enter the sweepstakes online at www.StaplesForStudents.com.

One grand prize winner will win a $50,000 scholarship plus a trip for two to Los Angeles to meet global pop music star, Katy Perry. Four first prize winners and one guest each will also win air travel to Los Angeles and accommodations for two nights to meet Katy Perry at the VIP Winners Celebration.

Entries must be submitted before September 10, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET. Entrants must be 13 years or older. Visit www.StaplesForStudents.com for official rules.

About Staples, Inc.Staples retail stores and Staples.com help small business customers make more happen by providing a broad assortment of products, expanded business services and easy ways to shop, all backed with a lowest price guarantee. Staples offers businesses the convenience to shop and buy how and when they want - in store, online, via mobile or though social apps. Staples.com customers can either buy online and pick-up in store or ship for free from Staples.com with Staples Rewards minimum purchase. Expanded services also make it easy for businesses to succeed with in-store Business Centers featuring shipping services and products, copying, scanning, faxing and computer work stations, Tech Services, full-service Print & Marketing Services, Staples Merchant Services, small business lending and credit services.

Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc., helps mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized customers make more happen by offering a curated assortment of products and services combined with deep expertise, best-in-class customer service, competitive pricing and state-of-the art-ecommerce site. Staples Business Advantage is the one-source solution for all things businesses need to succeed, including office supplies, facilities cleaning and maintenance, breakroom snacks and beverages, technology, furniture, interior design and Print & Marketing Services. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About Staples for StudentsStaples has a long history of supporting students, teachers and classrooms. Staples for Students is an ongoing program that helps students and teachers with the school supplies and essential items needed to achieve success in education. The Staples for Students campaign has included school supply drives, support for teachers in classrooms, donations for education projects, classroom initiatives such as Designed by Students, and the sale of products that give back to communities and classrooms in need.

About DonorsChoose.orgFounded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Teachers at over 70 percent of all the public schools in America have created project requests, and more than 2 million people have donated over $425 million to projects that inspire them. Over 18 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.

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Staples, Inc.
Kristine Houston, 508-253-8468
[email protected]
or
Carrie McElwee, 508-253-1405
[email protected]

Source: Staples, Inc.

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