The Panera Bread Foundation has announced a shift in its focus to support and strengthen communities by investing in underserved and at-risk children and youth.

To that end, the foundation has established three programs aimed at helping youth become leaders. In participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes, the Give Change for Children program will allow customers to round up their payment on in-store, drive-thru, and digital purchases, including its self-serve kiosks, to the nearest dollar as a donation to the foundation. Last fall, the foundation issued a request for proposals, which recently provided inaugural grants to 17 nonprofit organizations focused on youth, including STEAM:CODERS in Pasadena, California; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana; Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint; and Girls Inc. of St. Louis. The foundation also launched the Panera Dream Project, which helps the company’s associates experiencing financial hardship to gain access to education, enhanced training experiences, and new paths to leadership and franchise ownership. 

“The Panera Bread Foundation is proud of our recent refresh, which supports our vision for the future and our work to further our diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy,” said Debbie Roberts, Panera Bread chief operating officer and president of the Panera Bread Foundation board of directors. “We hope that our contributions will help support a world in which young people can unlock their full potential and dare to dream, and where opportunity and economic mobility are accessible and equitable for all. We are grateful to play a role in providing these necessary resources in our local communities.” 

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/FatCamera)