East Meadow Panera Bread's Call to Action Against Hunger

Panera Bread launched a week-long campaign in its Long Island cafés Monday to help in the fight against hunger.

By wearing orange (the color of hunger action) to any Long Island Panera Bread café Sept. 16-22 or mentioning the name “Island Harvest” at the register, guests making a food purchase will receive a free orange shortbread cookie along with a coupon for a free breakfast to use on a future visit, the company announced.

“The goal is to mobilize the public to act and spread awareness,” said Greg George, vice president for Doherty Enterprises, franchisee of the Long Island bakery-cafés.

According to Randi Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, their food bank network helps more than 300,000 people, including more than 110,000 children. Panera Bread has been a long-time supporter of Island Harvest, donating more than 2,200 pounds of bread each week from its 23 bakery-cafés and monetary contributions annually through its Operation Dough-nation program.

Panera Bread CEO Ron Shaich is taking a seven-day SNAP Challenge to better understand the problem. Shaich will eat on just $4.50 a day, the amount low-income individuals receive through the national food stamp program) and is encouraging others to take the challenge too.

Long Island Panera Bread Locations: Bay Shore, Bohemia, Bridgehampton, Carle Place, East Meadow, East Northport, Farmingdale, Hauppauge, Hampton Bays, Hicksville, Huntington Station, Huntington Village, Lake Grove, Lawrence, Massapequa, Mineola, New Hyde Park, North Babylon, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Rockville Centre, Syosset and West Babylon.