The popular Woburn Mall restaurant is giving back to the community this holiday season.

Panera Bread, located at 300 Mishawum Road within the Woburn Mall, presented the Council of Social Concern with a check for almost $8,000 earlier this week.

The money was raised through the restaurant's "Operation Dough-Nation" program. According to Jennifer Tatelman, a spokeswoman for Panera, the money will go toward the Council's Children's Center to assist in providing early education, child services and social support to children and parents. 

"Panera Bread is always so thankful to give back to the community and share the warmth of their bread with the Woburn neighborhood," said David Peterman, the franchise co-owner of Panera Bread in Woburn. "It's essential for communities to come together and provide help to those in need. We're so grateful to the Council of Social Concern and their support of local families."

The Woburn bakery-café originally collected $3,937.50 from customers through the in-store Operation Dough-Nation canisters. Panera Bread then matched its customer donations dollar for dollar, bringing the total donation to $7,875.