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September 15, 2008

Panera Bread® And Dfw Hunger Relief Agencies Recognize September As Hunger Action Month

Local Panera Bread Bakery-Cafes Celebrate “Warm Wednesdays” to Support Texas Hunger Relief Organizations

Dallas, TX, Sept. 15, 2008 – It’s time to bring a little Panera Warmth to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. To do so, participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the area are teaming up with the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) for “Warm Wednesdays,” an outreach campaign in recognition of Hunger Action Month.

On Wednesday, September 17, at all participating Dallas-Fort Worth Panera Bread locations, consumers will receive a free baguette when they donate a dollar to the NTFBor theTAFB. Additionally, starting on Wednesday, September 24 through Wednesday October 1, participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each loaf of Cinnamon Raisin bread toboth food banks. A long-time supporter of the NTFB Panera Bread bakery-cafes have raised and donated more than $14,000 so far in 2008 to support the organization’s hunger relief efforts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

On Thursday, September 25, Panera Bread will open its newest bakery-cafe at 730 E. Campbell Road in Richardson, TX, located on the southeast corner of Central Expressway and East Campbell Road in the new Eastside Shopping Center. This location will soon be working with the North Texas Food Bank to support those neighbors in need.

“In the North Texas area, there are 600,000 families that rely on the services of the North Texas Food Bank each year and that number is growing,” says Tina Smith, Joint Venture Partner for Panera Bread in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “As a neighborhood bakery-cafe concept, Panera Bread is a strong supporter of helping our local communities. We are proud to support the North Texas Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts to help residents in this area.”

“We are grateful for the continued support monetary and product support from Panera Bread,” says Jan Pruitt, president and chief executive officer of the NTFB. . “Our 260 member agencies and the thousands of familes we serve will benefit from these donations.

In addition to its Warm Wednesdays events, Panera Bread supports hunger relief initiatives through its Operation Dough-Nation (ODN) program. Through ODN, unsold bakery products are packaged at the end of each day and donated to local food banks and charities nationwide. In 2006, Panera Bread bakery-cafes nationwide donated a retail value of more than 28 million dollars worth of bakery products to charitable organizations.

 

About the North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank procures donated surplus food and transfers it in usable quantities to 917 feeding and education programs in 13 North Texas counties. Each month, agency pantries distribute food to more than 50,000 families, and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the organization provides four meals for the hungry. Out of every dollar donated, 97 cents goes directly to hunger relief programs. For more information, please visit ntfb.org.

About Panera Bread
Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,200 bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co.® names as of June 24, 2008. With is 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 country, guests are enjoying Panera’s warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access provided through a managed WiFi nework. 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.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:


Amanda O’Neal
Public Relations Manager
North Texas Food Bank (NTFB)
Office: 214-347-9593
Cell: 972-510-4932
info@ntfb.org

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