Bakery-Cafes Warm Hearts and Souls with Bread Bowl Sales

DENVER, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Throughout February, all 28 Colorado Panera Bread bakery-cafes will donate $0.25 of each soup in a bread bowl purchase to Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice as part of its involvement in Soup for the Soul, a unique and heartwarming fundraiser. This is the sixth year Panera Bread is supporting the annual Soup for the Soul fundraiser through its soup in a bread bowl sales, which has resulted in more than $21,000 in donations to date. Funds raised through soup in a bread bowl sales help to provide compassionate end of life care and bereavement services, regardless of the patient's ability to pay for services.

The Soup for the Soul fundraiser hosted by St. Anthony Hospice and Porter Hospice is taking place on Thursday, February 23 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Guests may sample gourmet soups and handcrafted appetizers from more than 15 of the metro area's finest restaurants, including Panera Bread's popular Broccoli Cheddar soup in mini bread bowls. Additionally, a silent auction featuring artwork and other unique items will take place. All proceeds from the event directly benefit local hospice patients. For more information on Soup for the Soul or to order tickets, call 303-561-5790 or visit SoupForTheSoulDenver.org. 

"Panera Bread is proud to support Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice again through our soup in a bread bowl sales," said Craig Flom, President, Breads of the World LLC, franchisee of Panera Bread. "Each of us can make a difference in the life of a hospice patient, and we encourage you to visit your neighborhood bakery-cafe throughout February to help ensure Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice can best provide care for those in need."

About Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice
Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice have provided thousands of people with comfort and peace through their end-of-life journey for more than 25 years. Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice are a part of Centura Health at Home, with more than 1,200 employees serving communities across the state, caring for more people in more places than any other organization of its kind in Colorado.

About Panera Bread of Colorado
Breads of the World, LLC, Panera Bread's local franchisee, operates 28 Colorado bakery-cafes. Panera Bread, known for its artisan breads and fresh salads and sandwiches, was recently named Most Popular and No. 1 for Best Facilities, Best Healthy Options and Best Salads (for chain restaurants with less than 5,000 outlets) by Zagat; "Healthiest Fast Food" restaurant by Health magazine; and one of Parents magazine's "Ten Best Fast-Casual Family Restaurants." For more information on the franchise, including bakery-cafe locations, visit Panera-Colorado.com.

SOURCE Panera Bread