Staples Foundation for Learning Awards Grant to Kids in Need Resource Centers.

Business Editors

DAYTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2003

The Staples Foundation for Learning(TM) has awarded a grant in the amount of $15,000 to the Kids In Need Resource Centers, a program of the SHOPA Foundation for Educational Excellence. Kids In Need Resource Centers

The Staples Foundation for Learning is the charitable organization of Staples, Inc., the office supplies superstore. Launched in August, 2002, the foundation reflects the belief that education is an investment in the future of communities. The mission of the Staples Foundation for Learning is to provide funding to programs that support or provide job skills/education for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youths.

"We are honored to be among the organizations receiving funds from the Staples Foundation for Learning in its first year of operation," said Scott Walters, executive director of the SHOPA Foundation. "We share a value for education, and this donation means additional children will not have to worry about having the tools they need to do their work in school."

"Staples Foundation for Learning is proud to partner with SHOPA as they work to impact the lives of children, teachers, and schools in communities across the United States," said Shira Goodman, Vice President for Staples Foundation for Learning and Executive Vice President of Marketing for Staples.

The SHOPA Foundation for Educational Excellence is the charitable foundation of the School, Home, & Office Products Association (SHOPA). It was awarded the grant from the Staples Foundation in support of the national network of Kids In Need Resource Centers. The purpose of the program is to equip children whose families are not able to purchase school supplies and help to enhance the classroom with the items necessary for students' successes at school. During the past two years, Kids In Need Resource Centers have distributed more than $50 million worth of school supplies to 750,000 children and 50,000 teachers nationwide. Resource Centers are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Newark, Seattle, South Florida, and Washington, D.C.

The SHOPA Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and was founded in 1995. SHOPA, founded in 1991, is a non-profit trade association representing approximately 2,000 manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, retailers, wholesales, distributors, commercial/contract stationers, and service companies involved in the production, distribution, and sale of school supplies and office products through mass market and commercial channels. The Association's trade show, the International SHOPA SHOW, has been recognized by Tradeshow Week as one of the top 200 trade shows in the country. For more information about SHOPA or the SHOPA Foundation and its Kids In Need program, visit the SHOPA Web site at www.shopa.org.