Panera Valentine's Day Cookie Sales Aiding Children's Friend Charity

Eleven Panera Bread/HBG bakery-cafes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including the one in Smithfield, are currently conducting a “Cookies for Kids!” campaign until Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, where 10 percent of the proceeds from every Valentine cookie sold will go to Operation Dough-Nation® partner, Children’s Friend in Providence. 

The decorated shortbread cookies feature three different versions of conversation hearts that say “Love You”, “XOXO” and “Be Mine”. All of the particpating stores are owned by one of Panera’s top franchises, the Howley Bread Group, LTD of Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Operation Dough-Nation® is committed to ensuring purchases at Panera Bread feed back into the community. Cash donations by customers at each bakery-cafe were increased through various matching programs by Panera/HBG and are donated to local organizations.

 Children's Friend, at 153 Summer St. in Providence, RI, is the oldest child-welfare organization in the state and a leading provider of child welfare, family support, mental health and your development services.  All funds raised go directly to the programs that support at risk young children and their families. 

Over the past 10 years, Panera Bread/HBG and its loyal customers have helped collect and donate over $648,453 to its five local Operation Dough-Nation charity partners, as well as contributions to Haiti Relief, local hurricane and tornado relief through the American Red Cross and breast cancer awareness through the company’s Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign with area hospital partners. 

Panera Bread/HBG has also donated $3 million dollars a year in bakery items to churches, shelters and food pantries as part of its Day End program.  Panera Bread/HBG has a Donations Department where organizations can request food donations for various non-profit fundraisers and events. 

Visit www.panerabreadhbg.com and click on “Donations, Partnerships and Charities” to either request a donation or see more about Operation Dough-Nation partners.