FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., announced today that the program has awarded more than $11.8 million to nearly 2,600 charities globally over the past five-years. The 2 Million & Change program is celebrating this milestone during National Volunteer Week in recognition of Staples’ commitment to the communities where associates and customers live and work.

“The 2 Million & Change program enables our associates to directly support organizations in their local communities and where they personally see the greatest need,” said Regis Mulot, chief human resources officer for Staples, Inc. and executive vice president of the Staples Foundation Board of Directors. “Over the past five years we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of associates participating in the program, and we’re proud to help them support the causes that are important to them.”

In 2016 alone, the 2 Million & Change program enabled over 12,000 associates to direct $2.3 million to 1,000 organizations they personally care about across 24 countries. Grants helped to advance academic education and job skills, such as after-school tutoring, youth entrepreneurship, skills development for individuals with disabilities, mentoring, job training for veterans, scholarships and more.

Volunteerism is a large part of the success of 2 Million & Change. In 2016, 5,700 Staples associates volunteered more than 62,000 hours across 14 countries, serving 690,000 individuals. Earlier in the year, in partnership with the American Heart Association 2,600 associates participated in the Staples Heart Walk, the largest volunteer event in Staples history, showing a growing interest in giving back for a good cause.

Through the 2 Million & Change program, Staples recognizes four associates as Community Heroes each year who have demonstrated exceptional involvement in their community. These associates have founded non-profits, participate as board members, and organize large-scale fundraising events, among many other commitments. To date, eight associates have been recognized as Community Hero winners, resulting in an additional grant for their respective organization and a paid day off to volunteer.

About Staples Community and Giving

Staples contributes to educational and workforce development community efforts with a primary focus on disadvantaged youth, from literacy and mentoring to career skills development, through in-kind and monetary donations and grants from Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc. Through its community and giving efforts, Staples has helped thousands of organizations across the world. For more information, visit www.staples.com/community.

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