Help Feed Long Island’s Hungry Donate Turkeys & Trimmings at Panera Bread
(Long Island, NY) Panera Bread will once again serve as a designated drop-off site for Island Harvest Food Bank’s annual Turkey & Trimmings Collection Campaign, a lifeline for the hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders who struggle to put food on the table. To lend a helping hand this holiday season, Panera Bread is asking its neighbors to donate frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items at any of its 24 Long Island bakery-cafes on or before December 24, 2013.
According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, nearly 300,000 Long Islanders, including 110,000 children struggle with food insecurity and depend on the Island Harvest network of emergency food providers. That’s 1 out of every 10 Long Islanders.
“Donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items can be dropped off from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. at any Nassau or Suffolk county Panera Bread now through December 24,” says Greg George, Vice President of Operations for Doherty Enterprises, franchisee of the Long Island Panera Bread bakery-cafes. “These donations will help Island Harvest supply warm, nutritious meals to local families in need throughout the holidays.”
An essential sponsor, Panera Bread provides over 1,000 pounds of bread daily from its area bakery-cafes to help support Island Harvest’s hunger relief efforts.
A HELPING HAND DURING THE HOLIDAYS — Now, through December 24th, in an effort to help feed the area’s hungry, local Panera Bread bakery-cafes will be accepting donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items on behalf of Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization.
PANERA BREAD PARTNERS WITH ISLAND HARVEST – Panera bakery cafes in Nassau and Suffolk will serve as drop off sites for Island Harvest’s Annual Turkey & Trimmings Campaign to help feed Long Islanders in need. Pictured (left to right) Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, and Greg George, Vice President of Operations for Panera Bread.
About Panera Bread Company
Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,673 bakery-cafes as of March 26, 2013 under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.®, and Paradise Bakery & Café® names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our 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 Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. An essential sponsor, Panera Bread’s Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens locations provide over 2200 pounds of bread each week from its area bakery-cafes to Island Harvest and City Harvest its Operation Dough-nation® partners. Panera Bread was voted #1 among national chains in the Bethpage FCU 2013 Best of LI for: Best Healthy Eatery, Best Lunch Deal, Best Macaroni & Cheese, Best Salad and Best Soup. In the 2012 Zagat Fast Food Survey, Panera Bread was voted #1 in the Best Healthy Options category. While in October 2012, Nation’s Restaurant News reported a consumer survey ranking Panera Bread America’s #1 favorite sandwich chain. Additional information about Panera Bread is available on the Company’s website, http://www.panerabread.com.
Long Island locations: Bay Shore, Bohemia, Bridgehampton, Carle Place, East Meadow, East Northport, Farmingdale, Hauppauge, Hampton Bays, Hicksville, Huntington Station, Huntington Village, Island Park (new), Lake Grove, Lawrence, Massapequa, Mineola, New Hyde Park, North Babylon, Plainview (coming soon), Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Rockville Centre, Syosset and West Babylon.
About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is recognized as the 70th largest privately-held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business and the 12th largest franchisee in the United States as ranked in the Restaurant Finance Monitor, operating seven restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak & Lube, Noodles & Company, and two of their own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates 141 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island – and now in Florida and Georgia. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” (www.DohertyInc.com)
About Island Harvest Food Bank
Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization, Island Harvest Food Bank provides food and non-food items for people who are hungry and in need, giving them a voice to help them transition from uncertainty to stability. Island Harvest’s mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food and product collection and distribution systems; enhanced hunger awareness and nutrition education programs, job training, targeted services for specific populations, and outreach and advocacy activities and initiatives. Island Harvest is the region’s lead agency in emergency response readiness for food and product distribution and support and is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief charity.
For more information visit www.islandharvest.org.
