Panera Bread Sponsors Third Annual Hoops for Hope Event

Panera Bread is once again a sponsor of the Hoops for Hope charity to benefit breast cancer research. The event is hosted by Kay Yow, North Carolina State women’s basketball head coach, and will be held February 10 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C.

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DURHAM, N.C. (February 1, 2008)—Casey Bastian, vice president of operations for area Panera Bread locations, announces today that the company is a sponsor of the third annual Hoops for Hope event benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, NC Triangle Affiliate. The event will take place inside Reynolds Coliseum during the North Carolina State women’s basketball game versus Boston College on Sunday, February 10 at 4:30 p.m.

“Coach Yow’s tireless efforts to raise breast cancer awareness are inspiring,” says Bastian. “We’re honored to be part of such a wonderful event.”

Panera’s sponsorship includes a cash donation of $5,000, “Bagels for a Year” and “Bread for a Year” certificates, as well as providing Cinnamon Crunch bagels to event participants.

This year marks Panera’s second year sponsoring the Hoops for Hope event and continues a long-standing relationship between Coach Yow and the company. Yow has served for two years as honorary chair of Panera’s Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign that has raised more than $18,000 for breast cancer awareness during that time. In addition, Panera underwrote Coach Yow’s recently released children’s book titled “Coach Yow: I Will, Not Just I’ll Try.”

Those attending the Hoops for Hope event will receive a commemorative game program wrap and ticket, and a silent auction and concourse displays will raise awareness for breast cancer. In addition, breast cancer survivors will be recognized at half-time of the game, and a limited number of free t-shirts will be distributed to fans in attendance. For event information, visit gopack.com.

About Panera Bread:
Panera Bread serves fresh baked, handcrafted artisan breads, sweet and savory baked goods, hand-tossed salads, wholesome soups, and signature sandwiches in a distinctly warm and welcoming environment. Panera Bread is committed to using great tasting, quality ingredients in the food we offer and contributing to the neighborhoods in which our customers and employees live and work through programs like Operation Dough-Nation. Headquartered in Richmond Heights, MO, Panera Bread owns and franchises 1,167 bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names as of December 25, 2007. For more information, visit panerabread.com.

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Website Link: http://www.panerabatt.com