The Boys & Girls Club of America has announced a $10.5 million gift from Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express.

The gift will fund in-person learning opportunities for more than 500 Boys & Girls Clubs and help launch 35 Panda Cares Centers of Hope in clubs nationwide, the first of which opened earlier this month at CC's Little Village Boys & Girls Club in Chicago. Each Panda Cares Center of Hope will be designed to meet the needs of their individual club members and may include a library of new books, computers, comfortable lounge pods, virtual reality headsets, and spaces for youth to learn, engage, and grow. 

“We are proud to be expanding the Panda Cares Centers of Hope initiative to Boys & Girls Clubs, where youth can have a safe space to play, learn, and grow not only academically but also emotionally and mentally,” said Panda Express co-founder and co-CEO Peggy Cherng. “Building a stronger community and a brighter future means investing in the next generation, and it is an honor to be able to bring our guests along for this important cause that directly impacts their local communities.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Big Cheese Photo)