Staples is Bringing “Easy” to South Beach
Miami Beach Store Celebrates Opening with $5,000 Donation to Youth Empowerment Network
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (Oct. 26, 2009) – Staples, Inc., (Nasdaq: SPLS) the world’s largest office products company, today presented the Youth Empowerment Network (YEN) , a local organization that provides after-school care and additional services for at-risk students in Miami Beach, with a $5,000 donation during the VIP celebration of the Staples’ Miami Beach store opening. Staples General Manager Iban Garcia, along with representatives from Youth Empowerment Network and local community leaders, officially opened the store located at 1139 5th St. in Miami Beach, Fla. with a ribbon-shredding ceremony. This new location is the first Staples store in Miami Beach.
“Giving back to our community in which our associates live, work, and play is a big priority for Staples,” said Iban Garcia, general manager of Staples. “We are proud to support the Miami Beach community and Youth Empowerment Network for its commitment to improve the academic experience for local students.”
The $5,000 donation awarded to Youth Empowerment Network will support a range of services that help improve academic achievement, personal development, and organizational skills. The organization caters to at-risk third, fourth, and fifth graders from Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center and Biscayne Elementary. Among other services, each participant also receives a computer to aid with their studies while their families are provided with housing, utilities, and job placement assistance.
“We are excited to receive support for the students involved with the Youth Empowerment Network,” said Jeanne Pierre-Louis, program director of Youth Empowerment Network. “This donation will allow us to continue our mission of enhancing the lives of our students in Miami Beach.”
Adding More Stores For Greater Customer Convenience
The new Miami Beach Staples store’s regular hours will be Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The store will employ approximately 20 full- and part-time associates.
Supporting Local Communities
Staples continues to demonstrate its commitment to South Florida by supporting grassroots community organizations near its stores. Since its first local store opening, Staples and its charitable arm, Staples Foundation for Learning, have donated nearly $500,000 to educational, non-profit and community organizations in the area. In addition, each South Florida store has adopted a local non-profit partner by contributing funds or providing much-needed support, such as office product donations.
The mission of Staples Foundation for Learning, Inc. is to teach, train and inspire. Founded in 2002, the foundation has contributed more than $17 million to national and local charities that provide educational opportunities and job skills for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Staples Foundation for Learning has also developed lasting relationships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Earth Force, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City.
About Staples
Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2008 sales of $23 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world's leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
