Panda Express® Donates Thousands of Masks to Samaritan
Published on: June 29, 2020
Watertown, NY – As part of its ongoing commitment to support Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals and medical professionals on the front lines, Panda Express® has donated 18,000 single-use surgical masks and 1,920 KN95 particulate respirators to Samaritan Medical Center.
These masks are essential to ensuring the health and well-being of the hospital staff and their young patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Personal protective equipment like this is vital to the care of our patients, especially now as we are requiring all caregivers, patients and visitors to wear masks while in our facility,” stated Beth Fipps, Vice President of the Samaritan Foundation and Community Services. “Ensuring our supply is ample has been a major hurdle throughout this pandemic, so we are very thankful to corporate partners like Panda Express for helping where they can.”
“On behalf of all the caregivers who work on the frontlines, we are grateful for these much-needed masks from our long-time partner Panda Express,” said Teri Nestel, interim President and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Panda’s generosity has never been more needed or more appreciated during these challenging times. It’s comforting to know that these doctors and nurses have the needed resources necessary to care for those who depend on children’s hospitals now and into the future.”
“Supporting the healthcare community has always been a priority for Panda Express, and we are blessed to have a partner with shared values of giving and inspiring better lives,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “It is our privilege to be able to protect and provide comfort to the selfless hospital staff and patients at CMN Hospitals. We thank our guests and associates for their generosity and support that make these donations possible. We stand together to be stronger together.”
For the rest of the year, participating Panda Express locations are offering a 10 percent appreciation discount on in-store purchases for healthcare workers and first responders with their employment badge. Through its philanthropic arm, Panda Cares, Panda Express has created a COVID-19 Community Care Fund, in which all guest donations are put towards sourcing and providing PPE to local hospitals in this time of need as well as supporting research to find a treatment for COVID-19. In the midst of this public health crisis, Panda remains steadfast to its evergreen mission of protecting, inspiring and bettering the communities they serve.
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About Samaritan Medical Center:
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.
About Panda Express®
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express, home of American Chinese comfort food, 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, including the Wok Smart® selections, 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 $196 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, visit pandaexpress.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.