In the past 12 months alone 593 schools have benefited from the addition of more than $713,000, thanks to parents shopping online or in-store for back-to-school and home office supplies.

How does the programme work? By allowing shoppers to nominate their local school to earn rewards on purchases, which the school can then spend on resources and facilities.

OfficeMax New Zealand’s General Manager of Education Blair Horsfall said the company feels it is important to assist local communities in any way it can.

“The School Rewards programme supports schools by providing extra, often much-needed, resources, and also helps enrich the overall school experience of students,” he said.

“OfficeMax is delighted to have made such a meaningful contribution to schools nationwide.”

Now in its 11th year, School Rewards has provided crucial supplies like books and sporting equipment, technology and furniture, facility improvements and funds for excursions.

According to Peter Thompson, President (Acting) of the School Executive Officers Association (SEO), the programme creates a transparent way for parents to help support their school. Rewards received can help schools fund additional supplies like technology and sporting equipment.

“Not only does the programme provide schools with extra resources they need, it also gives parents another way to help the school community,” he said.

“Parents love that shopping for school or office supplies at OfficeMax equates to affordability and convenience, as well as rewards for the local community.”

Raising money for your local school is easy and can be done with purchases made online, in store or via freephone.

Simply go to myschool.co.nz or alternatively let your in-store or phone representative know which school you’d like to support at the time of purchase.

For more information on OfficeMax and its community contributions, please visit officemax.co.nz