Panera Bread’s Middletown Cafe Supports Horse Show to Benefit Equine Rescue

Nov. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Middletown, NY: Panera Bread's Middletown, NY Cafe proudly supported Willow Hill Farm’s 12th Annual Fall Classic Horse Show to benefit Equine Rescue, Inc. by providing refreshments and raffle prizes. The Middletown Café also assisted the not-for-profit’s promotional efforts to raise money and awareness for the cause. The event was held on October 9th and 10th at Willow Hill Farm in Montgomery.


“Equine Rescue has saved the lives of numerous horses. The organization has also waged and won a highly successful legislative campaign to uphold animal rights. We hope other businesses, organizations and individuals will join us in supporting this and future fundraising events,” commented Tony Diaz, Operations Partner for Take Home the Bread, Franchisee.  “At Panera Bread, we believe in giving back to local communities. We show our appreciation for customers not only within our bakery-cafes, but also throughout the communities we serve by sponsoring special events open to the neighborhood,” he adds.

According to Lynda Broas, co-founder of Equine Rescue, monies raised during the event will help cover the cost of feed and veterinarian bills for neglected and abused horses. “The cost of caring for neglected horses is typically too high to accurately calculate,” Broas says.  “Special feed alone costs in the range of $200 per month. Add to this the cost of vet bills, facility overhead, wormers, as well as medications, and the cost per horse can easily top $1000 monthly. We couldn’t exist without the support of friends like Panera Bread and Willow Hill Farm.” Since it was formed in 1996, Equine Rescue has directly helped 118 horses. The not-for-profit also helps owners who can no longer keep their horses find suitable homes for them. In addition, the organization works in the courts and on the legislative front. It recently won a highly publicized case against owners who abandoned two horses. Equine Rescue subsequently adopted the horses and paid extensive veterinarian bills. For further information on Equine Rescue, visit www.equine-rescue.org.

For the past 14 years, Panera Bread has helped many 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. Panera also donates unsold bread to local area hunger relief agencies.

Panera Bread Cafes are conveniently located throughout the Hudson Valley in Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Middletown, and Nanuet. For further information regarding Panera Bread, please contact BBG&G Advertising & PR at 845-695-1880.

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About Panera Bread: Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,399 bakery-cafes as of June 29, 2010 under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co., and Paradise Bakery & Café names. Our bakery-cafes are principally located in suburban, strip mall and regional mall locations. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment. 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 bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. The franchisee Take Home the Bread, LLC plans to open 10 new bakery-cafes in the area over the next five years, and recently opened a café in Bedford Hills, NY. Additional information is available on the Company’s website, http://www.panerabread.com.