LOS ANGELES, October 11, 2020 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region announced today that it is partnering with Panda Express® in its first week-long national virtual fundraiser to raise money for relief efforts for those who have been affected by the recent disasters, including the wildfires blazing across California and the Pacific states.
Starting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, through Monday, Oct. 12, Panda Express will donate 28 percent of pre-tax orders made on PandaExpress.com and the Panda Express app using the code “REDCROSS” to the Red Cross. Funds raised through this drive will help the organization prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters, big and small, across the United States.
“Panda Express has been a strong supporter of the American Red Cross for many years especially in times of disaster,” said Jason Lustina, director of corporate giving for the American Red Cross. “They are ready and willing to help at a moment’s notice whether it is feeding first responders and those staying at shelters or raising funds to help the Red Cross. We’re grateful to partner with Panda Express.”
This wildfire season is the worst on record, with almost 7 million acres consumed by thousands of wildfires across the U.S. this year. Entire towns are destroyed, along with thousands of homes and businesses — with thousands more still under threat.
In Los Angeles, the Bobcat Fire forced as many as 4,000 people from their homes and evacuation warnings went out for several areas. The Red Cross has mobilized a massive relief effort across several states and has more than 1,300 volunteers working around the clock to ensure that people have a safe place to stay, food to eat, comfort and other assistance.
“When the current wildfires and hurricanes broke out, our first instinct was to see how we can help by uniting communities far and wide,” said Fabiola del Rio, executive director of community marketing at Panda Restaurant Group. “Knowing wildfire and hurricane seasons are not yet over, this week-long fundraiser is an opportunity for communities to come together and turn a small act into meaningful social impact.”
Since 2005, through its philanthropic Panda Cares® Foundation, Panda has donated more than $8 million dollars towards disaster relief efforts and provided thousands of meals to support first responders, volunteers and evacuees during disaster responses. Powered by Panda guests and associates, Panda Cares is funded through the in-store and online donation box program and associates at Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San as well as valued business partners. The foundation provides food, funding and volunteer services to underserved youth and disaster relief efforts.
About Panda Express®
On a mission to inspire better lives, American Chinese trailblazer Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,200 locations throughout the U.S. and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to more than ten international countries. Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares®, the organization's philanthropic arm, has raised more than $216 million and countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 12 million youths as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. In 2020, Panda established the Panda Cares Scholars Program to provide the necessary funding, academic support and leadership development to help high school and college students learn, lead and thrive towards a bright future. For more information about Panda visit pandaexpress.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
About the American Red Cross:
Please follow @RedCrossLA on Twitter for the latest updates. Visit redcross.org/wildfire for information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.