Panda Restaurant Group Makes Major Donation to Red Cross for South and Midwest Disasters Relief Efforts

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Panda Restaurant Group, parent company of Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San, contributed more than $250,000 to the American Red Cross in support of South and Midwest disaster relief efforts. Over the past four months, the Red Cross has launched 46 relief operations in 31 states, opening more than 283 shelters, serving more than 3.2 million meals and snacks, and handing out more than 1.5 million relief items. Ten Panda employees presented the check at a ceremony held at the American Red Cross San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter on August 4.

“The Red Cross continues to help people whose lives were devastated by floods, tornadoes and wildfires.”

The Panda Restaurant Group has been a longtime supporter of the American Red Cross. During the last six years, the Panda Restaurant Group has donated $1.6 million for Southern California, national and international disaster relief efforts. These include the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief and the 2008 Sichuan (China) earthquake. In addition, Panda Express has donated meals to feed victims who have been evacuated to local shelters.

“We would like to thank the Panda Restaurant Group for this substantial gift to help those affected in the South and Midwest,” said Paul Schulz, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region CEO. “The Red Cross continues to help people whose lives were devastated by floods, tornadoes and wildfires.”

The Red Cross requires approximately $375 million every year responding to nearly 70,000 disasters ranging from a house fire involving one family to other disasters like floods involving numerous families. Major disasters that impact entire communities add to the cost of our disaster response.

“It is a privilege and responsibility that Panda takes seriously when we are given the opportunity to give back to our community. We have been blessed and are honored to give back to those who have supported us,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-chairman of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

About Panda Restaurant Group

Founded in 1983, with close to 1,400 locations and 18,000 associates in 38 states, the privately held Panda Restaurant Group is the world’s leader in Asian dining experiences. The successful chain of concepts includes Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Panda Express is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including their famous Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, SweetFire Chicken Breast, Honey Walnut Shrimp and Kobari Beef. For more information visit www.pandaexpress.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

About The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region

A volunteer-led humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Serving more than 85 cities, the Red Cross provides relief for victims of house and apartment fires, earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural or man-made disasters — 24 hours a day. Last year, nearly 160,000 people were trained in vital life-saving skills, including CPR and first aid. For more information, please visit www.RedCrossLA.org.