Panda Express celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by giving back

In honor and celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which pays tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success, Peggy and Andrew Cherng, co-founders and co-CEOs of Panda Express, were recently highlighted for their on-going commitment to helping underserved children and providing the mission-critical funds to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other worthy causes to do so.

In a recent article in Fortune magazine, Peggy Cherng explains, “Our mission is serving underserved children in health and education. The other [purpose] is to inspire and grow our associates in giving.”

“The sentiment led the Cherngs to set up Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group, in 1999. Panda employees help run the organization, and to get the customers involved, the Cherngs rolled out donation boxes at all Panda Express restaurants in 2010.

Since 1999, Panda Cares has raised $107 million, with $89 million coming from in-store donation boxes….

Panda Cares also has a longstanding partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit that distributes funds to 170 hospitals across the U.S. and Canada for research, equipment purchase and uncompensated care. “We really emphasize on how we can help people who can’t help themselves,” Peggy says. “Particularly underserved children.”

Her organization has given more than $37 million to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 2003.”

The Panda Express family has provided unrestricted funds to a total of 128 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals–helping millions of kids live better.

Andrew sums up their philosophy best, “Life happens with help from other people.”

If you’d like to learn more about the Cherngs, view their Trailblazers video.