A new partnership between Panera Bread and the American Red Cross will directly benefit volunteers in disaster relief areas. As severe weather events such as tornadoes, floods, and wildfires are higher in the summer months, Panera and the Red Cross will support volunteers who do so much for others when disasters strike.

As part of the partnership, Panera is pledging a $20,000 in-kind donation to the American Red Cross to help fuel volunteers during training, recovery, and relief efforts in Panera’s home state of Missouri, which has experienced multiple weather disasters in the last year. Additionally, for every delivery order placed from now through August 2, Panera will donate 30 cents (up to $100,000) to the American Red Cross to help with disaster relief efforts such as foodservice.

“We’re proud to partner with the American Red Cross to champion the volunteers who over-deliver for others in their time of need,” says Niren Chaudhary, chief executive officer of Panera.  “At Panera, we believe food provides a way for people to connect and come together, whether it’s in the immediate wake of a disaster, or as a community recovers.”

“Donations from partners like Panera Bread are essential to our ability to immediately assist disaster survivors and support the first responders and volunteers who work tirelessly at the scene of a disaster,” says Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “These contributions will help to ensure our volunteers are immediately on the ground to help people in need, no matter when or where the disaster occurs.”