100% of Panera Bread’s ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ Cookies Sales April 8th – 14th to Benefit The Dan Marino Foundation

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread, is once again partnering with The Dan Marino Foundation (DMF) to celebrate Autism Awareness. Starting Monday, April 8^th through Sunday, April 14, Panera will sell one-of-a-kind ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ cookies, which were specially designed to represent the symbol for autism and will be sold in all 31 cafes in Broward County and Palm Beach Counties in honor of World Autism Awareness month. 100% of the proceeds from all ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ cookie sales will be donated to DMF.

Since 2010, Covelli Enterprises has donated more than $2 million in the areas it serves to support various autism organizations, schools, and centers in providing services, scholarships, research, treatment, advocacy, and resources for families. We pride ourselves on being in our 9^th year of partnership with The Dan Marino Foundation – they are the pioneers of helping people with autism and learning disabilities in South Florida. 

The puzzle piece cookie consists of Panera Bread’s famous shortbread topped with sweet white icing and an edible sugar decal and is made entirely free of any artificial colors, flavors, additives or preservatives.

“The ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ campaign is our largest company-wide initiative that we host every year. It involves more than 215 participating Panera locations in eight states and the hard work of more than 450 bakers to create these special, life-changing cookies,” said Sam Covelli, Owner | Operator of Covelli Enterprises. “We put everything we have behind this one-week campaign because our cookies have made such a significant difference for our partners and those with autism within the communities we serve.”

Panera Bread will also be collecting funds in all thirty-one (31) bakery-café locations through their Operation Doughnation boxes located next to the registers at each café now through May 31, 2019.  

“We’re proud to once again partner with Covelli Enterprises - Panera Bread for the 9th year. Our Foundation appreciates their leadership in showing acceptance and their generosity in giving back to the autism community. Every cookie purchased makes a difference. The ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ cookies are the best, just like the Panera Bread team that bakes them,” said Dan Marino, Chairman of The Dan Marino Foundation.

Panera Bread is encouraging ‘Pieces of Hope’ campaign supporters to share photos of their cookies on social media using #everycookiecounts. Cookies may be pre-ordered online at www.covelli.com/autism.

About Covelli Enterprises
Covelli Enterprises operates 315 Panera Bread bakery-cafés in eight states. Headquartered in Warren, Ohio, Covelli Enterprises is the single largest franchisee of Panera Bread, LLC. In 2018, Covelli Enterprises donated more than $32 million to hunger relief agencies and non-profit organizations. www.covelli.com 

About The Dan Marino Foundation
The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization was established by Dan and Claire Marino, motivated by their experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. For over 27 years, the Foundation has been a leader in innovation and change, "empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.” For more information, please visit danmarinofoundation.org, marinocampus.org or ViTADMF.org.