Panera Bread Cookie Campaign Recognizes Autism Awareness Month

WARREN, Ohio — Covelli Enterprises kicked off its annual Pieces of Hope cookie campaign Monday morning in recognition of Autism Awareness Month at participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes. 

Through Sunday, Covelli Enterprises will donate 100% of proceeds from sales of the Pieces of Hope puzzle-piece shortbread cookies to Potential Development School for Students with Autism. 

“Even though the last two years have had their challenges, we are thankful and humbled to be able to continue giving back to our communities, with programs like Pieces of Hope for Autism,” said Sam Covelli, owner/operator of Covelli Enterprises. “This special cookie campaign allows us to make such a positive difference in our communities, which is what we aim to do every day through our products and our bakery-cafes.” 

In addition, Potential Development will benefit during the entire month of April from the company’s Operation Dough-Nation program. This program allows customers to make monetary donations in boxes located at the register in Panera Bread bakery-cafes.

“We appreciate our partnership with Covelli Enterprises and the local Panera Bread Cafes to raise autism awareness throughout the Valley in honor of Autism Acceptance Month,” said Paul Garchar, CEO of Potential Development School for Students with Autism. 

“Potential Development continues to grow with a current enrollment of 225 students, our highest to date,” he continued. “We are proud to be a beneficiary of this wonderful puzzle piece cookie campaign. Together we will make a difference in the lives of students with autism.” 

Cookies can be purchased in-store and online at PaneraBread.com or on the Panera app for Rapid Pick-Up, Curbside, Delivery, and Catering. Panera Bread is encouraging Pieces of Hope campaign supporters to share photos of their cookies on social media using #everycookiecounts. 

Image courtesy of Covelli Enterprises

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.