Information adapted from a press release by Jennifer Tatelman: 

Panera Bread of Woburn presented a check for $6,000 on Friday, Oct. 21 to its local charity partner, Council of Social Concern. Raised through Panera Bread’s Operation Dough-Nation program, the money will benefit the council's Children’s Center, which provides early education and child services and social support to all parents and children. 

“Panera Bread is more than just a food provider – our mission extends beyond what you would expect,” said Mitch Roberts, franchise co-owner of Panera Bread in Woburn.

“We are extremely dedicated to giving back to the community and are glad to help the Council of Social Concern and their Children’s Center. We especially love to help the families in the Woburn community with whom we interact daily,” 

The Woburn bakery-café originally collected $3,000 from customers through the in-store Operation Dough-Nation canisters, displayed in each Panera bakery-cafe.  Panera Bread then matched its customer donations dollar for dollar, bringing the total donation to $6,000. 

The Council of Social Concern is a charitable, community-based agency that responds to the basic needs of people of all ages, providing early childhood education and care, helping individuals develop their potential, creating positive family and community relationships, and fostering respect for diversity. In addition to the Children’s Center program, the Council of Social Concern also provides food pantry services, parenting education, and information referrals to families in the Woburn, Wilmington, Burlington, and Winchester area. For more information on the Council of Social Concern, visit www.socialconcern.org.