During the COVID-19 shutdown, TG3 Enterprises, owned by franchisees Chad Fitton and Matt Glance, created a food donation program to help its local communities in Ohio. Since clubs were closed and PF^® traditions of Pizza Monday and Bagel Tuesday were temporarily on hold, the group decided to use the money to make monthly food donations to local hospitals, showing appreciation for front-line workers.

TG3E made donations to Cleveland Clinic, Nationwide, Akron Children’s, Mercy Health and Dayton Children’s hospitals. PF staff arranged deliveries of meals from Panera Bread, including boxed lunches, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, bagels, fruit and coffee, to hospital staff. The organization felt it was important to acknowledge those working on the front lines and taking risks to keep communities healthy and safe.

Hospital staff were extremely grateful for PF’s donations. Fitton and Glance received a sincere thank-you letter from Akron Children’s Hospital, which read, “Your donation, which will allow Panera treats to be delivered to our staff, is greatly appreciated and will bring many smiles. Thank you for thinking of our staff, who go above and beyond every day to provide exceptional patient experiences for the families in our beloved community and to those who seek us out from across the country and around the world.”

Because of the overwhelmingly positive response, the group has expanded the program from Ohio to its Pennsylvania, Utah, Indiana and Idaho locations.