Press Release
Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread, will launch its annual Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign Friday, October 1st in participating Charleston, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Florence locations in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the whole month of October, a portion of the proceeds from Pink Ribbon Bagel sales will be donated to the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Panera Bread celebrates 20 years of ‘raising dough' for breast cancer organizations through the Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign nationally.
Pink Ribbon Bagel, in conjunction with other company fundraising efforts has allowed Covelli enterprises to donate over $6.5 million support local breast cancer programs in the communities it serves. Funds donated to partner organizations have been used to open new comprehensive breast cancer facilities, purchase mobile mammography units with 3D technology, develop education and outreach programs, provide transportation and assistance for those undergoing treatment, and support life-saving research for advancements in cancer treatment.
The breakthroughs funded through the Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign have has brought about positive change in breast cancer outcomes where Covelli owns restaurants and beyond. It has changed the quality of breast care, allowing more women access to the early detection, rapid treatment, and interdisciplinary care proven to decline breast cancer mortality rates. In other words, Panera's Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign, in conjunction other company fundraising efforts, has brought about positive change in breast cancer outcomes where Covelli owns restaurants and beyond.
“We owe the success of our Pink Ribbon Bagel Campaign over the past 20 years to our loyal customers. Their support of the cause has helped save lives of individuals fighting breast cancer in communities we serve,” said Sam Covelli, Owner/Operator of Covelli Enterprises. “We also want to thank our amazing employees for fully committing to this campaign every year and “going pink” for the month of October. We pride ourselves on ensuring that the funds raised from Pink Ribbon Bagel go directly back to local hospitals and breast cancer organizations across the 8 states we serve, so the funds are truly making a difference on a local level.”
Panera Bread is encouraging customers to take a photo with their Pink Ribbon Bagels to share their support for the cause on social media using #morethandough. The cafes are now accepting pre-orders for bagels by the dozen at www.covelli.com/gopink.
Funds will also be collected throughout October at the registers of the 12 Panera cafes in Charleston, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Florence. SC through the company's Operation DoughNation change canisters.
The Pink Ribbon Bagel, shaped in the form of the iconic pink ribbon, features cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey, and brown sugar, and is baked fresh each morning by Panera's bakers at each cafe.
