Office of Business Opportunity

OBO Press Release

Staples Donates Recovery Kits to Small Business Owners Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

October 3, 2017 -- The City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) is pleased to announce that it will be receiving a generous donation of 150 Recovery Packs from Staples for small businesses in Houston affected by Hurricane Harvey. The Recovery Packs are to include approximately 28 items, including folders, pens, paper, tape dispensers, and a small office printer, among other supplies.

"The Office of Business Opportunity would like to thank Staples for stepping up to the plate during this tremendous time of need," said Director, Carlecia D. Wright. "Our small businesses suffered tremendous losses and we are grateful to be able to provide them some supplies as they work to recover."

"Staples is committed to supporting our customers and communities especially in times of need,” said Neil Ringel, president, North American Delivery, Staples. “We hope the business kits will play an important part in helping those small businesses impacted by the recent storm get back on their feet again.”

The Office of Business Opportunity is committed to promoting the growth and success of local small businesses and will work with partners such as local chambers of commerce to disperse the Recovery Packs to established businesses that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

To be eligible to receive a Recovery Pack, the business must be located within the areas designated by FEMA as part of the Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 25, 2017. Businesses are asked to submit evidence of recovery such as receipts of purchases they have made to replace items lost due to Harvey, photos and/or proof of applications submitted to FEMA or the Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster relief assistance. Only established businesses are eligible to receive the Recovery Packs. The geographic priority for award of Recovery Packs are businesses located inside the City of Houston, followed by Harris County.

If you are a small business owner who was impacted during Hurricane Harvey, the following organizations will be helping to distribute recovery kits:

SCORE
Houston Business Development, Inc.
Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston
East End Chamber of Commerce
Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce
Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
LiftFund
Asian Chamber of Commerce
Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce
People Fund
Camaro Empresarios de Latinos

For additional information, please contact Abigail Gonzalez at 832-393-0620 Abigail.M.Gonzalez@houstontx.gov.