Panera Bread Donates to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

    MIDDLETOWN, NY, October 27, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Panera Bread is proud to have contributed their support to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's local project in Bloomingburg, NY. The show recently aired on Sunday, October 16th on ABC at 8:00 pm. The project involved renovating Jimmy and Darlene Korpai's two-story home to accommodate their daughter, Hailey, and family. Hailey was diagnosed with a form of dwarfism several years ago. The family's two-story home needed to be renovated to a one-story level, wheelchair accessible, and able to accommodate Hailey's height in order to provide her with full independence throughout her home.

Panera Bread's Middletown bakery-cafe provided breakfast to the crew and volunteers at the Bloomingburg project site. Panera served up a full array of delicious, freshly baked bagels, pastries, toppings, fruit bowls, and beverages as a way of thanking and supporting the wonderful work of the local community and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Susan Holbert Crocker, owner of Holberts Catering and Back Yard Bistro in Montgomery, NY, volunteered to coordinate the meals for the project. Through her years in the catering business, Susan has become familiar with all of the area's restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores, and was able to use her vast array of contacts to coordinate many meal donations for the countless volunteers and crewmembers each day at the Korpai home. "It was a big job, but so worthwhile," states Crocker. "I am grateful for all of the donations from local supporters like Panera Bread, who gave from their heart to help with this project."

"We were truly inspired by the commitment of the local community to help the Korpai family and were glad to be able to contribute in some way," states Tony Diaz, Operations Partner with Take Home the Bread, LLC, Franchisee.

Panera Bread bakery cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. For the past 15 years, Panera Bread has helped dozens of charitable organizations through Operation Dough-Nation, a program that allows Panera Bread and its customers to aid local charities. Cash donations made by customers in the Community Breadbox cash boxes at the registers are distributed annually to local charities. Food donations are also made regularly to local area hunger relief agencies and food banks.

Panera Bread Cafes are conveniently located throughout the Hudson Valley in Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Middletown, and Nanuet. Their newest location recently opened on Dutchess Turnpike and is the second Panera Bread to open in the Town of Poughkeepsie. For further information regarding Panera Bread, please contact BBG&G Advertising & PR at 845-695-1880.

About Panera Bread:

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,493 bakery-cafes as of June 28, 2011 under the Panera Bread , Saint Louis Bread Co. , and Paradise Bakery & Cafe 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. The franchisee Take Home the Bread, LLC plans to open 7 new bakery-cafes in the area over the next five years, and has recently opened a new cafe in the Town of Poughkeepsie, NY. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.

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