Panera Bread was able to donate more than two tons of food to Island Harvest, a nonprofit organization fighting hunger on Long Island with a Hauppauge head quarters.
All of 's 21 bakery-cafes on Long Island participated in a Take a Bite out of Hunger campaign from Sept. 12 to Sept. 15. Panera Bread customers were asked to make a non-perishable food donation towards Nassau and Suffolk food pantries in return for a free breakfast sandwich.
"We served up nearly 1,800 free breakfast sandwiches during those five days—and in the process helped a lot of our neighbors who are struggling to feed their families,” said Greg George, Vice President of Panera Bread on Long Island, in a statement. “It’s rewarding to see people open their hearts to give and as a company to be able to give something back to them in return."
More than 4,000 pounds of food were collected during the five-day campaign. The nearly two-tons of food and $45,000 in guest donations were given to Island Harvest, who has a headquarters in Hauppauge Industrial Park, as part of Operation Dough-nation.
As we move into the holiday season, Panera Bread will participate in Island Harvest's Turkey & Trimmings Collection Campaign. Local residents can drop off frozen turkeys, supermarket turkey coupons and non-perishable food items at any of its stores before Dec. 24.
