BOISE, ID--(Marketwire - Jul 25, 2012) - As Boise Inc. (NYSE: [ BZ ]) celebrates its first anniversary as a partner in the General Mills' Box Tops for Education^® school fundraising program, Box Tops clipped from Boise-branded paper products have raised nearly $800,000 in funds for K-8 schools across the country.

Box Tops for Education is the leading school fundraising program in the U.S., contributing $74 million in the 2011-2012 school year to benefit 90,000 schools.

"Box Tops for Education brand partners like Boise are what really drive the program forward," said Tommy Hillman, Box Tops for Education marketing manager for General Mills. "Schools are directly impacted by the earning potential of these brand programs, which ultimately go to purchase everything from textbooks, laptops, playground equipment and field trips to teacher scholarships."

Box Tops appear on ream packages of Boise^® X-9^® multipurpose paper, Boise^® HD:P™ digital paper and Boise^® FIREWORX^® color paper. Boise papers carrying Box Tops are available from distributors of office paper and supplies nationwide.

"We are proud to put our brands to work to support the educational needs of America's children," said Terry Stepney, Boise Inc. brand manager. "And, in these challenging economic times, we are particularly gratified to help facilitate such a significant contribution to schools. The sustainability of the communities where we work and live is one of our key company values."

"Box Tops for Education is a national program, with an impressive impact on schools across the country," said Stepney. "We see its impact close to home, where the efforts of Box Tops coordinators have made it possible for local schools to purchase library books and physical education equipment, and to help fund activities like reading programs, field trips and science projects."

About Boise Inc.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Boise, Inc. (NYSE: [ BZ ]) manufactures a wide variety of packaging and paper products. Boise's range of packaging products includes linerboard and corrugating medium, corrugated containers and sheets, and protective packaging products. Boise's paper products include imaging papers for the office and home, printing and converting papers, and papers used in packaging, such as label and release, and flexible packaging papers. Our employees are committed to delivering excellent value while managing our businesses to sustain environmental resources for future generations. Visit our website at [ http://www.BoiseInc.com ].

Visit us on Facebook to learn more about how Boise's brands support K-8 schools through Box Tops for Education. [ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boise-X-9/71847373082 ]

About General Mills

General Mills is one of the world's leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries. Its consumer brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso and Wanchai Ferry. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, General Mills had fiscal 2011 net sales of U.S. $14.9 billion.

About Box Tops for Education

The Box Tops for Education program offers parents and kids easy, everyday ways to earn cash for their school. The program began in 1996, as more and more schools struggled to make ends meet. Each year, enrolled schools receive a program kit to help them build their own comprehensive fundraising campaign. Most schools designate a program coordinator to develop ways to encourage students, parents, school staff and community members to clip Box Tops from participating products and bring them to school.

After the collected Box Tops are sent in to General Mills, the school receives a check, equivalent to 10 cents for every Box Top redeemed, to spend on anything they choose. Thousands of schools have used the cash from Box Tops for Education to purchase items such as computers and computer software, library books, art supplies and playground equipment. Support our kids' schools today at [ www.btfe.com ].

Fan Box Tops for Education on Facebook at [ www.facebook.com/BoxTopsforEducation ]
Follow Box Tops for Education on Twitter at [ www.twitter.com/BTFE ]

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