April 5, 2013 Contact: Emily Lutz
Covelli Enterprises, LLC
Panera Bread Franchisee
814.673.8752
PANERA BREAD TO DONATE 100% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM PUZZLE PIECE COOKIE SALES THROUGH SATURDAY TO AUTISM SPEAKS
April 5, 2013 – In honor of National Autism Awareness month, Panera Bread is hosting a “Pieces of Hope” cookie campaign in all Western, PA cafes. The five-day campaign will come to an end tomorrow, Saturday, April 6. Panera Bread is inviting community members to continue to support the campaign by purchasing an exclusive Puzzle Piece Shortbread Cookie at their local Panera Bread bakery-cafés in Johnstown and Altoona. One hundred percent of proceeds from each Puzzle Piece Shortbread Cookie will be donated to the local Autism Speaks chapter.
On Saturday, April 6 from 11am-1pm, Altoona Curve Mascots, Diesel Dawg and Al Tuna, will appear at the Altoona Panera Bread café. Both mascots will meet with children and families visiting the café in support of “Pieces of Hope” campaign.
The “Pieces of Hope for Autism” campaign is taking place at all 34 Western, PA Panera Bread Cafes including Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown and Altoona market areas. The Puzzle Piece Shortbread Cookie is unique to the area and can only be purchased for a limited time in the Panera cafes.
“Autism Speaks is so grateful to Panera for their participation in celebrating World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month. By selling Puzzle Piece Cookies Panera cafes will help to increase and develop a local awareness and knowledge for all those who struggle with Autism,” said Lisa Maloney, Walk Manager, Autism Speaks Pittsburgh Chapter.
Throughout the month April, the Autism Speaks Pittsburgh Chapter is the Operation Dough-Nation partner in the 34 Western, PA area bakery-cafes. Panera Bread and its franchisees support charitable causes through its Operation Dough-Nation program. Since it was founded in 1992 to formalize Panera’s commitment to community involvement, Operation Dough-Nation has contributed both monetary and bread donations through its Community Breadbox and Day-End Dough-Nation programs to local food pantries, hunger relief agencies and other community organizations.
About Covelli Enterprises and Panera Bread
Covelli Enterprises operates more than 200 bakery-cafés in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Florida and Ontario, Canada. Covelli Enterprises is the nation's largest franchisee of Panera, LLC.
Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,252 bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread® and Saint Louis Bread Co.® names as of December 30, 2008. With its identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, Panera Bread is committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Highlighted by antibiotic free chicken, whole grain bread, select organic and all-natural ingredients and a menu with zero grams added trans fat, Panera's bakery-cafe selection offers flavorful, wholesome offerings. The menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites, complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Canada, guests are enjoying Panera's warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access provided through a managed WiFi network. At the close of each day, Panera Bread bakery-cafes donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on the Company’s website, http://www.panerabread.com.
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