The leader
of the backpacks

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Jessica Brookstein looks forward to visiting Office Depot every August.
Brookstein, director of development for the Northeast’s Federation Early Learning Services, has developed a relationship with the Florida-based office supplies chain.
Two years ago, the Office Depot Foundation — the primary charitable-giving arm of the retailer — provided the agency with 50 backpacks filled with school supplies. Last year, the company donated 100 backpacks.
This year, 250 backpacks will go to the mostly low-income students in after-school programs at the Lassin Early Learning Center on Jamison Avenue and the Samuel Paley Early Learning Center on Strahle Street.
"It’s a big deal," Brookstein said of the donation. "Something that might cost ten or fifteen dollars, parents don’t have to pay. The kids get their own new personalized backpack. It’s like a birthday present for the beginning of the school year."
Brookstein visited the Office Depot at 9475-95 Roosevelt Blvd. on Friday afternoon, as the foundation announced it was donating 3,000 backpacks to non-profit organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area.
Representatives of a number of organizations attended the gathering, and youngsters serviced by them enjoyed drinks and snacks provided by Michel’s Bakery.
In all, the foundation donated 300,000 backpacks throughout the United States and Canada. Attending several of the events was Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series.
In the seven years of "Backpack Donation Day," Office Depot has provided about 1.5 million backpacks.
"That’s 1.5 million times they’ve made a difference," said Tom McCourt, president-elect of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Philadelphia County, which represents abused and neglected kids.
The backpacks come in five color schemes and are designed to meet the needs of students in kindergarten through fifth grade. They include two front pockets, a net pocket on the side, and wide padded straps for comfort and support.
Each backpack contains a pencil pouch complete with such back-to-school essentials as a ruler, four crayons, a glue stick, pen and pencil, a pencil sharpener and an eraser.
"It helps a lot," said Martin Nock, president of Communities In Schools of Philadelphia, which will be giving the backpacks to after-school programs. "Last year, they went over very well, especially when the kids found out there were things inside the backpacks."
State Rep. John Sabatina Jr. (D-174th dist.), who attended the ceremony, said the legislature always finds it difficult to find the money to properly fund schools.
"Office Depot has figured out a way to defray the cost," he said. "It’s a great program. For parents, it’s one less thing on their child’s way back to school. If other businesses take Office Depot’s example, it’ll be a lot easier on all of us."
Cara Nordaby, the store manager, said she’s glad her company is able to provide so many backpacks because it enables students to begin the school year with confidence. It’s gratifying, she added, when the store receives homemade thank-you cards from the young recipients.
"In the city of Philadelphia, there are a lot of people in need," she said.
Carl Rubin, who served as store manager before taking a similar position at a Bensalem location in December, understands that a backpack alone can’t stem the city’s rising murder rate, but he believes it puts needy children on equal footing with their classmates.
According to Rubin, Office Depot understands that some parents simply cannot afford to buy backpacks and school supplies. By supporting children, the company’s hope is that they become productive adults.
"If we give them support, the world will be a better place," he said.
Rubin has worked for numerous retail giants in his 37 years in the industry and believes Office Depot stands out when it comes to "good corporate citizenship."
"I’ve never been with a company that gives back to the community like this one does," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com