South Pasadenan reports that Panda Express founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng are donating $2 million to combat the Coronavirus.
On the Panda Express website, a statement expressed the fast food restaurant’s concern for the community during this period.
“In the midst of this public crisis, Panda remains committed to our mission of supporting the health and well-being of our communities more than ever. As the current COVID-19 situation continues to progress in the U.S., it is becoming more difficult for medical workers to obtain proper protective gear, making it increasingly hard to treat those in need in their communities,” the statement read.
Panda Cares – the Panda Restaurant Group’s “philanthropic arm” – has created a COVID-19 Community Care Fund.
The statement revealed that donations made to the organisation will go towards providing more personal protective equipment.
“We are allocating the year-round Panda Cares donation box program to support our COVID-19 relief efforts,” the statement read. “All guest donations made over the next four weeks (through April 18) will be put towards additional PPE, such as respirator masks, face shields, and gowns, to help other hospitals in highly affected areas. Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng will personally donate to the Community Care Fund.”
The Cherngs, who launched the restaurant 37 years ago, is matching the $2 million donation to help provide PPE for front-line hospital workers too.
Donations will go to Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, City of Hope Duarte, Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.
In a message directly from the Cherngs, the couple thanked their supporters and encouraged the community to help each other.
“We thank our guests for their generosity during this challenging time,” the Cherngs said. “And most of all, we thank the frontline healthcare workers and first responders, risking their lives every day for those in need. We will do everything in our ability, however big or small, to take care of our heroes. We are here for our community. And we are stronger when we stand together.”
In related news, a plane belonging to NFL team New England Patriots flew 1.2 million N95 face masks from China to Boston.
