How Home Depot and ANN Inc. Practice Social Responsibility

At the closing session of the National Retail Federation's Big Show in New York City yesterday, executives from Home Depot and ANN Inc., parent company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, discussed the role social responsibility plays in their companies.

Fred Wacker, chief operating officer of the Home Depot Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the big-box retailer, said the brand was looking for a charitable outlet that was both helpful to others and cost effective. Framing Hope was formed in partnership with Good360, a nonprofit that teams with retailers to design and deliver product donation programs that meet corporate objectives. Home Depot stores across the country team up with local nonprofits, which are vetted by Good360, to donate building products. The donated products would otherwise be headed to landfills.