WARREN, Ohio – In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread, is partnering with Akron Children’s Hospital for the third annual Chip in for Children’s Mental Health campaign. 

From May 12-18, $1 from each of Panera’s Chocolate Chipper cookies sold at its 21 locations in the Akron, Canton and Mahoning Valley area will go toward funding a community outreach education coordinator to support teachers, counselors and other school staff. 

The coordinator provides school-based social and emotional learning resources for students who have experienced traumatic events that have negatively affected their mental and behavioral health. 

Covelli Enterprises has donated nearly $100,000 to Akron Children’s since 2022, which went to hiring community outreach education coordinator Nicholas Morio. He has educated more than 500 teachers and other school personnel in 10 school districts in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties about trauma-informed social and emotional learning, restorative justice, rapport building, classroom management and more.

“We are very proud of our partnership with Akron Children’s and the impact it has had on our local schools,” said Sam Covelli, CEO of Covelli Enterprises. “Nicholas has done an incredible job in a short period of time to create positive classroom experiences for our students and teachers. We are so grateful for the support of our loyal customers and employees, which allows us to continue to support Nicolas’ vital work and expand the impact of this Akron Children’s External Affairs initiative.”

Morio assists local school partners and provides the following services:

  • Ongoing training, specific classroom planning and support for teachers and school administrators. 
  • Professional development that builds staff understanding of the social and emotional needs of students and the evidence-based practices that can increase student engagement, reduce negative student behaviors, improve staff satisfaction and more.

“This campaign, along with Covelli’s partnership and generous donation, has helped us raise awareness and enhance education about trauma and its impact on children and families through our social and emotional learning initiative,” Morio said.

Sherry Blair, youth suicide prevention supervisor at Akron Children’s, highlighted the need for social and emotional learning programs.

“Nearly half of U.S. children have faced an adverse childhood experience, with even higher rates among children of color and those in Appalachian communities,” she said. The programs “provide children with the tools to build resilience, cope with challenges and thrive despite adversity.”

Panera’s Chocolate Chipper cookies are sold in all Covelli-owned and operated Panera Bread cafés.They also can be purchased online HERE or on the Panera app for pickup, delivery and catering.

Pictured at top: Panera Bread in Boardman.