San Diego News
Panera Bread Bakery Cafes Assist in Lifting San Diego Chargers Local TV Blackout
- Category: San Diego Chargers
- Created on Thursday, 01 November 2012 14:06
San Diego, California - Local Panera Bread bakery cafes have signed on as supporters of Thursday night’s Salute to Service game between the Chargers and the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, guaranteeing the purchase of enough tickets to lift the local television blackout. Tickets purchased through this partnership with Panera Bread will be donated to local children through the San Diego Boys & Girls Clubs giving them a chance to attend the game.
Tickets will also be made available to local military bases and military hospitals through the Armed Services YMCA.
“We’re excited by the reaction from our corporate partners to support our annual Salute to Service game,” said Chargers Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer A.G. Spanos. “Their support is making it possible for men and women from our local military bases to enjoy a great experience at the game Thursday night. Their actions are also making it possible for everyone at home to see the team play. We’re grateful for their support.”
“The Boys & Girls Clubs mission is to create life-enhancing programs and character development experiences, and the Chargers and Panera Bread have helped to make this happen today! We would like to personally thank Panera Bread for their generous assistance in donating tickets to our Clubs for tonight’s game. Panera’s donation is going to provide hundreds of children and their parents the opportunity to create a lifelong memory of attending a Chargers game they would otherwise have been unable to attend,” said Danny Sherlock, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the San Diego Boys and Girls Club, Local Military Organizations and the Chargers organization,” said Sandy McElfresh, Director of Sales & Marketing, Manna Development Group, Franchisee of Panera Bread. “Helping to lift the local television blackout is exciting but it is also a privilege to provide our valued military personnel and children through the Boys & Girls Club an opportunity to attend the game.”
An Active Community Partner: Since Panera Bread was founded, the company and its franchisees have been active participants in the communities in which it does business. As part of Panera’s broader national Operation Dough-Nation® program, which was created in 1992 to formalize Panera’s commitment to community involvement, the 18 bakery cafes in San Diego take pride in giving back through its local Day-End Dough-Nation™ and Community Breadbox™ programs.
At the end of each day, Panera Bread also donates all unsold bread and baked goods to local area hunger relief agencies as part of its local Day-End Dough-Nation program. Collectively, Panera bakery-cafes annually donate more than $100 million worth of unsold bread and baked goods to help people in need. Locally, Panera Bread bakery cafes have supported many area organizations including the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of San Diego and the Scripps Health Foundation.
About Manna Development Group: Founded in 2003 by San Diego resident Paul Saber, Manna Development Group owns and operates the 18 Panera Bread bakery cafes in San Diego as well as 41 other Panera Bread locations across Orange County, Los Angeles and Western Michigan.
About Panera Bread: Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,591 bakery-cafes as of June 26, 2012, 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. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.