Operations

Panera Bread Foundation helping underserved, at-risk children

Provided

March 2, 2022

Panera Bread has refreshed the mission of its Panera Bread Foundation to "support and strengthen communities by investing in underserved and at-risk children and youth to become leaders."

Participating U.S. Panera Bread company-owned cafes will also launch a round-up program, Give Change for Children, allowing guests to round up their total checks to the nearest dollar to help underserved and at-risk children. Give Change for Children will be available in-cafe at the register, at the drive-thru and kiosk as well as through web and mobile ordering, according to a company press release.

"The Panera Bread Foundation is proud of our recent refresh which supports our vision for the future and our work to further our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy," Debbie Roberts, COO at Panera Bread and president of the Panera Bread Foundation Board of Directors, said in the release. "We hope that our contributions will help support a world in which young people can unlock their full potential and dare to dream, and where opportunity and economic mobility are accessible and equitable for all. We are grateful to play a role in providing these necessary resources in our local communities."

The Panera Bread Foundation launched a grant application program in the fall of 2021, awarding 17 non-profit organizations funds to help at-risk children and youth. Recipients include STEAM:CODERS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint and Girls Inc. of St. Louis.

As the Panera Bread Foundation refocuses on helping children and youth unlock their leadership potential, the brand is also working internally to build leaders focusing on those who are underserved and under-resourced, according to the release. Through the Panera Dream Project, the company enables and empowers BIPOC Panera Bread associates experiencing financial hardship to unlock their talents and potential.

The company also plans to continue its longstanding Day-End Dough-Nation program, where associates box up unsold bread, bagels, muffins and pastries to donate them to local non-profit organizations focused on fighting hunger. Annually, company-owned cafes donate over $100 million retail value worth of baked goods to over 3,500 local non-profits.

Panera has 2,118 locations in 48 states and in Ontario, Canada.