Panda Express Hits Record Fundraising in 2019
The average person knows Panda Express for their delicious and unbeatable orange chicken, but what people may not know is the true philanthropic culture ingrained throughout the entire company.
In 1999, Panda Express established Panda Cares – their philanthropic branch of the corporation. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partnered with Panda Express in 2007, bringing together two strong organizations who share a goal to improve the lives of kids.
Peggy Cherng, Co-Chair and Co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group, says “Supporting the health and education of under-served youth is of utmost importance to our Panda family.”
Since the partnership in ’07, Panda Express locations have implemented year-round register fundraising, employee giving, and recurring food donations to hospitals. Their year-over-year growth has been nothing short of astounding for hospitals across the country.
Panda Express stores in Colorado and Wyoming have been diligently raising money for Children’s Hospital Colorado since the partnership’s inception, but the growth in this Rocky Mountain Region may be the most impressive of all.
Only five years ago, the Panda stores in the Children’s Colorado fundraising market were ranked among the lowest fundraisers in the country. Then, something changed: in 2017, these same stores raised $257,158 – mostly dollar by dollar. In 2018 they raised $523,538. And in 2019, these locations raised $838,514 for Children’s Hospital Colorado – and ranked #6 in the highest fundraising territories in the nation.
All participating Panda Express locations came to Children’s Hospital Colorado to celebrate this outstanding achievement. The event included Lunar New Year and Children’s Colorado collateral, a donated Panda Express lunch (which everyone enjoyed!), and awards for each of their locations. The room was filled with positivity, encouragement, and rightly-deserved congratulations and gratitude.
Yujian Du, one of the leaders in the Panda Express and Children’s Colorado partnership, said “What an amazing gathering event! I’m so proud of my Panda people to raise almost $900,000 last year! One team Panda!”
Children’s Colorado couldn’t be more proud to partner with Panda Express for this growth; but they aren’t done yet.
“My goal this year is to raise $1 million for Children’s Hospital [Colorado] in 2020!” says Joanne, a Panda employee who attended the meeting.
With the growth they’ve shown in the past, we can’t wait to see where 2020 takes them. From all of us here at Children’s Hospital Colorado – thank you Panda Express family!