Panera Bread's Project: Lemon-Aid for Kids Campaign for the Children's Cancer Center

TAMPA, Fla. - July 25, 2016 - PRLog -- On Friday, August 5^th and Saturday, August 6^th, from 10:00-2:00 children and supporters of the Children's Cancer Center will be asking customers to donate $1.00 or more to receive a refreshing sample of Lemonade.  Guests will be served from lemonade stands built and decorated by Panera Bread Associates.

"We are grateful to be chosen as the recipient of such a heartfelt campaign from Panera Bread and their customers," said Patty O'Leary, Chief Operating Officer of the Children's Cancer Center.  "Our mission at the Children's Cancer Center is to provide children who have been diagnosed with childhood cancer or a chronic blood disorder and their families with the educational, emotional and financial relief necessary to cope.  The money generated from this promotion will go towards the Panera Bread Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Program which provides college scholarships and funds the Panera Bread S.A.I.L. (Students Achieving through Interactive Learning) program offered weekly at the Children's Cancer Center."

"We are thrilled that this will be our 5^th year hosting Project: Lemon-Aid for Kids" said Vikki Kaiser, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Covelli Family Limited Partnership, a franchisee of Panera, LLC.  "In the past four years, we have been able to donate $68,989.45 from the lemonade stands on behalf of our generous Panera Bread customers.  We encourage everyone to come out and help support these incredible kids!"

To date, close to $260,000.00 in college scholarships have been awarded to children serviced by the Children's Cancer Center through the Panera Bread Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Program.   Additionally, all money collected in the month of August through the Operation Dough-Nation boxes at bakery-cafes owned and operated by Covelli Family Limited Partnership will be donated to the Children's Cancer Center.

About Covelli Enterprises/Covelli Family Limited Partnership
Covelli Enterprises owns and operates close to 300 Panera Bread Bakery Cafes in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Florida and Ontario, Canada. Headquartered in Warren, Ohio, Covelli Enterprises is the largest franchisee of Panera Bread and the 4^th largest restaurant franchisee in the United States. In the past year, Covelli Enterprises has donated more than $20 million in unsold bread and bakery products to local food banks and hunger relief agencies.Locally, Covelli Family Limited Partnership operates over 7 Panera Bread bakery-cafes in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and along the east coast of Florida. Local accolades include recognition as one of the 5 largest restaurant companies in Tampa Bay by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, being selected "Business Partner of the Year" by the Children's Cancer Center and receiving the 2015 Family & Kids Choice Award. The franchise was awarded 1^st Place in the Corporate Philanthropy Awards 501+ Employees Category and was presented with the 2014 Judges Choice Award. In recent years, Covelli Family Limited Partnership had the honor of being named the Tampa Bay Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy Benefactor of the Year.    To learn more, visit www.panera-tampa.com.

About Panera Bread
As of March 29^th 2016, there are 1,997 bakery-cafes in 46 states and in Ontario, Canada operating under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co. ® or Paradise Bakery & Cafe® names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by chicken raised without antibiotics, 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 menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.

About the Children's Cancer Center

Helping children and families cope. That is the mission of the Children's Cancer Center, a local non-profit organization dedicated to serving Tampa Bay families of children with cancer or chronic blood disorders. "When a child is diagnosed, the whole family is diagnosed," explains Children's Cancer Center C.O.O., Patty O'Leary. "Our mission is to provide these children and their families with the educational, emotional and financial relief necessary to cope with the illnesses which threaten to tear their lives apart."  With 24 programs and services currently helping over 950 families, support is offered to all members of the family and is available throughout every step of their difficult journey – from diagnosis and treatment, to survivorship . . . and sadly, too often, bereavement.  While other organizations are committed to finding a cure tomorrow, the Children's Cancer Center is committed to helping families cope today. They are dedicated solely to being there for each family through this devastating experience.  One day at a time.  To learn more about the Children's Cancer Center, its mission, or how you may become part of this important support for Tampa Bay families devastated by Cancer or Chronic Blood Disorders, please visit  www.childrenscancercenter.org or call Kristen Seeley, Marketing Coordinator, at 813-367-5437 ext.5.