News & Events

Panda Cares® established its inaugural Panda Cares Day™ on August 8, 2019 to celebrate 20 years of giving back to the communities where Panda Express guests and associates live and work. In honor of the holiday this year, Panda partnered with actor and children's advocate Dakota Fanning, to host a virtual storytime for children across the country at eight Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals and 80 Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) chapters. Dakota surprised the children with a video message filled with words of encouragement, followed by a dedicated reading of "All Are Welcome" by author Alexandra Penfold & illustrator Suzanne Kaufman. Panda Cares' vision has been to empower youth to learn, lead and thrive for brighter futures through health and education, creating powerful learning pathways and focused care for the holistic well-being of kids nationwide.

Panda also donated 88,000 children's books, 15,000 commemorative face masks over 9,000 delicious Panda Express meals during CMN Hospital visits and festive drive-by events at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Following a commitment of $25 million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope in 2019, Panda Cares unveiled its 8^th Center of Hope on Panda Cares Day 2020 at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, which is serendipitously celebrating its 8^th anniversary this year. The Panda Cares Center of Hope inspires hope and promotes healing by providing specially curated programs that address each child's entire well-being, including their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. Therapeutic play, art therapy, and counseling services are just a few examples of a wide range of offerings at Panda Cares Center of Hope, designed to give children the courage and strength to thrive. Since last year, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations across hospitals in the U.S. including California, Texas, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Arizona.