Operation Dough Nation

Panera of East Tennessee has partnered with local non-profit organizations as part of the Operation Dough Nation program.  In each cafe patrons can donate money that is donated to the organizations and Panera matches those donations each year.  Panera also sponsors events throughout the year to raise funds for the organizations, including the annual Tournament of Wishes to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee. 

These organizations are currently Operation Dough Nation partners: 

 
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is dedicated to making wishes come true for children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.  This organization is the Operation Dough Nation partner for all of our East Tennessee cafes, so each time you donate in these cafes you are making a difference in the life of a child.  Visit www.wishetn.org for more information about the organization.


The American Cancer Society is committed to the elimination of cancer through research, education, service and advocacy.  The organization is the Operation Dough Nation partner for the Dalton and Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Panera cafes.  Each time you make a donation in these cafes you are helping in the fight to end cancer.  Visit www.cancer.org for more information about the organization.


Girls on the Run is an organization dedicated to educating and preparing girls for a life-time of self respect and healthy living, through work-outs and programs that culminate in a 5k run.  The organization is the Operation Dough Nation partner for the Asheville, NC Panera cafe.  Each time you donate in this cafe you are making a difference in the lives of the girls of Eastern North Carolina.  Visit www.girlsontherun.org for more information about the organization. 

Non-profit Organizations

Panera of East Tennessee also supports several other non-profit organizations in the community, including:

• Habitat for Humanity (Knoxville, Asheville, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Anderson Co.) 
• Susan G. Komen Foundation (Knoxville, Chattanooga ,Tri-Cities)
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of East TN
• Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic
• American Heart Association
• American Diabetes Association

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Day End Donations

At the end of every day, Panera Bread donates unsold breads, bagels and pastries to food banks and other non-profit, tax-exempt organizations that help people in need.

Interested in Joining?

We currently have a full pickup schedule at all of our locations, but if your organization is of 501 C or 501 C 3 status and you would like to be added to a wait list please send your contact information, information about your organization and your tax exempt letter to P.O. Box 2365, Cleveland, TN 37320, Attn: Day End Donations or fax it to 423-479-6938.

Donations for Community Events

We especially value the opportunity to share our freshly baked bread with the community through donations to special events held by non-profit organizations. We accomplish this goal by contributing freshly baked breads or bagels for event refreshments and by donating product certificates for auctions or raffles.

We donate: freshly baked breads, bagels, pastries and Panera gift cards; large sponsorship requests are determined at the beginning of each year.

To request a donation for your event:

Please submit your donation request online at http://panerabread.sponsorwise.com

All requests must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the date of an event.

Call the donation hotline at (800) 301-5566, option 4, with any questions.