From Staples, school supplies that can change the world

As back to school season heats up, Staples is launching an innovative promotion that aims togive students in North America the opportunity to make a world of difference with their back-to-school purchases.

This fall the retailer is teaming up with nonprofit Me to We, along with the cast of the hit TV series Degrassi,​to create an inspiring and colorful line of school supplies that make a positive impact in the lives of children in developing communities around the world. Select cast members from Degrassi will be supporting this meaningful partnership with an exciting behind the scenes video of their back to school photo shoot.

"Giving consumers better choices for a better world is at the very heart of Me to We, which is why we're so excited to work with Staples and ACCO Brands, two companies that are passionate about education," said Craig Kielburger, co-founder of Me to We. "There are over 58 million primary-aged children who aren't in school. By making a purchase with meaning, today's young people are empowering children around the world with the tools they need to learn, grow and break the cycle of poverty."

Available at Staples both in Canada and select stores in the United States, this innovative product line features everything from backpacks to lunch bags, water bottles to notebooks. Each product gives a gift to a child or family in a Free The Children community overseas, so they are free to learn without being held back by hunger, thirst, disease or financial restraints.

As part of Me to We's Track Your Impact initiative, all products come with a code for buyers to track exactly where their purchase has made an impact. Each product gives a different gift – water bottles and storage pouches give clean water to one person; backpacks give school supplies to a student overseas; notebooks and journals give a health care to a child.

By buying a Me to We product at Staples, consumers can make a purchase with even deeper meaning. Each product from Me to We's line of school supplies are made from eco-friendly materials like recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer paper.

With today's youth in mind, the line is designed to take students from the classroom, to cafeteria and through to afterschool activities. Me to We school supplies come in a variety of bright and on-trend colors and patterns. Consumers can purchase the line online and in Staples stores in Canada and the U.S.