Panera Bread hosting toy drive to support The Salvation Army

Collected toys will benefit Christmas assistance programs across Indiana

Veterans Day kicked off a three-week toy drive at 42 Indiana Panera Bread restaurants (including five in Hamilton County), marking an expansion in the program that helped to collect toys at select restaurants last year.

This year, the collection will benefit Salvation Army Christmas assistance programs in counties across the state of Indiana. Collection boxes will be out Nov. 13 to Dec. 6 at each participating Panera Bread. New, unwrapped toys for infants through teens can be dropped off during each location’s regular business hours.

Customers can donate toys at any of these five local locations:

• Carmel: 2001 Greyhound Pass #4E
• Carmel: 1346 S. Range Line Road
• Fishers: 8510 E. 96th St. #A
• Noblesville: 17177 Mercantile Blvd.
• Noblesville: 12873 Campus Pkwy. #A

Thousands of local families turn to The Salvation Army during the holidays to help put toys under the tree and Christmas dinner on the table. Families hit hard by inflation, job loss, and financial difficulties often face the difficult choice between paying rent or a utility bill and providing Christmas gifts and a festive family meal for their children. Salvation Army programs, like Angel Tree and Toy Shop, help to relieve the extra financial burden of the holidays and ensure that families in need can still experience the joys of the season.

“We’re so grateful to Panera Bread for growing this program in 2024,” said Major Marc Johnson, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army Indiana Division. “With thousands of Hoosier families in need of help this Christmas, a toy drive like this can make a huge impact on our ability to meet the need in each community where we serve. This is a season of joy, and each year The Salvation Army strives to bring that joy to as many of our neighbors in need as we can.”

Panera Bread began as St. Louis Bread Company in 1987 and is now operating in 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. This toy drive is just one of many ways that the company gives back to communities through seasonal and year-round philanthropic efforts.

For more information about Panera Bread and to find a location near you, visit PaneraBread.com. To find your local Salvation Army and learn more about Christmas assistance programs in your area, visit SalvationArmyIndiana.org.