Panera Donates to Local Children's Charity

of Shrewsbury recently presented a check for $7,500 to its local charity partner, Children’s Friend. The money, raised through Panera’s Operation Dough-National Program, will be used to further the mission of Children’s Friend to improve the lives of children and those who love them.

“This is a very significant donation for the children and families we serve,” said Karen Ludington, Children’s Friend’s President and CEO. “We’re very grateful for the generosity of Panera Bread in Shrewsbury and their customers.” 

The Shrewsbury bakery-café originally collected $3,750 from customers through the in-store Operation Dough-Nation® canisters which are displayed near the registers in each Panera Bread bakery-café. Panera then matched its customer donations dollar for dollar, bringing the total donation to $7,500.

“Children’s Friend has a valued history of providing essential services to children and families in Central Massachusetts whose lives have been affected by a variety of difficulties,” said David Peterman, franchise co-owner of Panera Bread in Shrewsbury. “Panera Bread in Shrewsbury is proud to support such a compassionate organization, and we thank our customers for making this donation possible.”

Since 1849, Children’s Friend has served Central Massachusetts with a commitment to improve the quality of life for children and prepare them for adulthood. Formerly known as the Worcester Children’s Friend Society, Children’s Friend is dedicated to providing the highest quality mental health and child welfare services to thousands of children in central Massachusetts.

Through the provision of mental health services, adoption and foster care services, teen parenting programs, community advocacy and childcare, Children’s Friend helps create within each family an environment where children can grow into healthy, educated and responsible members of the community. For more information about Children’s Friend, please call (508) 753-5425 or visit their website.