New England-based Panera Bread franchisees Boston Bread LLC and PR Restaurants LLC have announced they will jointly contribute $27,102 to The Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Fund at the Boston Foundation. Contributions to the Boston Foundation's Haiti relief effort are matched dollar for dollar up to $1 million by the Ansara Family Fund. With the match, that brings the total donation to $54,204.
"The true spirit of our business is breaking bread — a tradition of sharing across backgrounds and borders," said Mitchell Roberts and David Peterman, co-owners of PR Restaurants, in a joint statement. "We believe this spirit is integral to helping the people of Haiti rebuild, and we are thrilled to be joined in our donation efforts by Boston Bread and the Ansara Family Fund at the Boston Foundation."
Panera Bread began collecting donations nationally among its many corporate and franchise bakery-cafés in the weeks following the earthquake in Haiti. During this time, Panera encouraged its communities to add a $1 or more to their check to benefit Haitian Relief. By Feb. 3, nearly $150,000 had been collected across participating locations. Each franchise was then allowed to select a recipient relief organization of its choice.
Partnering with the Boston Foundation, the Ansara Family Fund created The Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Fund at the Boston Foundation, which focuses on long-term human rights and reconstruction issues in Haiti. The Haiti Fund, which will be spent over the course of five years, will devote up to 25 percent of its resources to immediate disaster relief. Remaining funds will be dedicated to long term efforts including: human rights training and organizing, long-term reconstruction, long-term livelihoods and support for the Haitian American community in Boston.
