WARREN, Ohio – Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread, is partnering with Akron Children’s through the launch of its fourth annual Chip in for Children’s Mental Health campaign.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, May 4-10, $1 from each of Panera’s Chocolate Chipper cookies sold at the 21 Covelli-owned and operated bakery-cafes in the Akron, Canton and Mahoning Valley areas will continue to help fund a community outreach education coordinator in the Mahoning Valley region.
The community outreach education coordinator supports teachers, counselors and other school staff to integrate trauma-informed, school-based social and emotional learning, restorative justice practices and management strategies into their classrooms.
Since 2022, Covelli Enterprises has donated more than half a million dollars to local hospitals and nonprofit organizations to support mental and behavioral health services across the communities it serves.
As part of this initiative, Covelli has donated nearly $125,000 to Akron Children’s, which went toward hiring Nicholas Morio as community outreach education coordinator. He has educated more than 500 teachers and other school personnel in 10 school districts in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Morio offers professional development that builds staff understanding of the social and emotional needs of students and evidence-based practices that can increase student engagement, reduce negative student behaviors and improve staff satisfaction.
“This campaign, along with Covelli’s partnership and generous donation, has helped us raise awareness and enhance education about trauma and its impact on children and families through our social and emotional learning initiative,” Morio said.
“We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers who have supported our Chip in for Children’s Mental Health Campaign over the past four years,” said Sam Covelli, CEO of Covelli Enterprises. “Their generosity has enabled us to contribute meaningfully to the vital work of organizations like Akron Children’s. As the need for mental health support continues to grow, we remain committed to helping ensure every child in our community has access to the care, understanding and resources necessary to be successful.”
Chocolate Chipper cookies can be purchased at PaneraBread.com or on the Panera app for pickup, delivery and catering. They can also be purchased at the following Valley locations: Warren, Niles, Austintown, Canfield, Hermitage and Boardman cafés on Market Street and South Avenue. Other locations include Kent Road and Graham Road stores in Stow, Arlington Road and Montrose Shopping area in Akron, Belpar Street in Canton, North Canton, Medina, Brecksville, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Massillon, Wadsworth, Alliance and Brimfield.
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