By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Panera Bread is known nationally for donating its leftover food and now that Sioux City has 2 Panera's, it means double the donations.
But there's just one problem, Sioux City's newest Panera Bread is now open, but it doesn't have a partner to donate to yet.
The new Panera at Lakeport Commons in Sioux City is staffed, stacked and ready to go.
But it needs to find somewhere to donate it's leftover bread after each night. You see, it's company policy is to donate the leftovers. The store on Hamilton Blvd. already has two places it sends it's extras.
One is the Food Bank of Siouxland. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that Panera is just one of many stores, that donate leftovers to the Food Bank, others including Starbucks, Walmart and Target.
Just last year alone, over 450,000 pounds were donated by retailers.
"Honestly, it's a growing avenue. This is a bigger number than we've had any other year. We really see these corporations as doing their best to step up and be good corporate members of the community," said Linda Scheid, the Executive Director of the Food Bank of Siouxland.
Panera products also end up at the Gospel Mission, a homeless shelter in Sioux City.
The products are shelved in the pantry along with HyVee and Little Caesar leftovers. Then they're picked over every morning by folks in need.
"I think for so many of them that's probably, especially the bagels or even some of the breads, something may not normally have in their shelf," said David Delzell.
If you think your non-profit organization would be a good partner for Panera, you can contact either the new store or the Hamilton Blvd. store. Store Managers are hoping to get a partnership finalized by the end of the week.
