Office Depot Foundation National Backpack Program

 ***Complimentary product received in exchange for an honest review***

Every child deserves to start the school year with a backpack and essential school supplies, but the sad reality is many families can’t afford these items. Making a difference to change this is The Office Depot Foundation and its National Backpack Program, which over the past 12 years has provided more than 2.9 million backpacks to children around the world.

This year, to mark the 13^th anniversary of the National Backpack Program, the Office Depot Foundation will donate 300,000 backpacks with essential school supplies to deserving children in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. By the end of 2013, Office Depot and the Office Depot Foundation will have donated more than 3 million backpacks and sackpacks since the inception of the program in 2001. But while these numbers are very large, the sackpacks make an impact on a singular level − one child at a time.

The Office Depot Foundation National Backpack Program are not only as a large-scale example of corporate social responsibility, but also as a very personal way that one organization is making a difference.

This year’s sackpacks are designed in six different color combinations with kid-friendly graphics. Each one includes a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, 6” ruler and four crayons. They do not have any Office Depot Foundation or Office Depot logos or markings. 

My Thoughts 

Office Depot is making a difference all over the world this back to school season. They are making sure no child goes without by offering up some nifty sack-packs and school supplies to go along with them. The bags come in a variety of cool deigns including sport and fairy themes. They are sturdy bags that will work great for carrying books but will also come in handy for lunging clothes to gym class or for extra curricular activities. 

Inside each bag is another fun surprise. Each sackpack includes some much needed school supplies including a pen, pencil, crayons, a pencil sharpener and even a ruler. All these items are packed inside a clear zippered pencil case. 

My children were really impressed with the quality of these items but we are even more impressed by the generosity of the Office Depot. In these difficult economic times it's not always easy for parents to stay ahead of the game. There are so many expenses this time of year, its nice to know someone is looking out for the kids to make sure they have the tools they need to further their education.

To learn more about the program and all it has to offer, visit this link:

 http://www.officedepotfoundation.org/backpackprogram/photos.asp

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***