Panda Cares Foundation Expands Its Mission of Support for Education by Partnering with UNCF to Award Renewable Scholarships
400 students selected from 32 states across the country
Committed to serving the communities in which it operates, Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., partners with UNCF to expand its mission of support for education through the “Panda Cares – UNCF Scholars Program.” The scholarship program aims to secure better futures, by awarding “last dollar” scholarships to high school students from underserved, low-income families of all ethnicities in communities that Panda serves.
“UNCF’s partnership with the Panda Cares Foundation forges a path to success for deserving students,” said Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “A path whose impact is great not only for the students, but also for the communities in which these students will ultimately serve.”
Scholars who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in total scholarship support from the Panda Cares – UNCF Scholars Program, with up to $2,500 per academic year to be used to cover the unmet costs of tuition, fees, room and board. Expanding beyond monetary gifts, the renewable scholarships also provide educational resources, including peer-to-peer learning opportunities, webinars and additional online college-readiness resources and assets.
“Here at Panda Cares, our passion continues to be the health and education of underserved youth. Elevating our mission of bringing hope to children in need, we are proud to be collaborating with UNCF to make the pursuit of higher education a reality for students across the nation,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, Co-Chair and Co-CEO, Panda Restaurant Group. “The Panda Cares – UNCF Scholars Program serves as an opportunity for Panda Restaurant Group to continue inspiring lives in our communities and live into our core value of giving.”
Recognizing the need to be a voice for the unheard, the Panda Restaurant Group, the parent company of the family-owned American Chinese food chain, Panda Express which operates over 2,000 restaurants nationwide, established Panda Cares in 1999 to serve health and education needs of underserved children. In the nearly 20 years since then, the organization has raised more than $107 million thanks to the generous donations of money and time from Panda’s guests, customers, vendors and associates.
Founded in 1944, UNCF is the largest provider of college scholarships for students of color in the U.S. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness.
For more information about UNCF and the Panda Cares Foundation, please visit UNCF.org/PandaCares and www.pandacares.org.
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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
About Panda Restaurant Group and Panda Cares Foundation
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is the world leader in Asian dining experiences with more than 2,100 locations in 48 states as well as Canada, Guam, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Guatemala, Dubai, Mexico, Russia and Korea. Founded in 1973, the privately held chain of fast casual, full service and quick service restaurant concepts includes Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. For more information regarding Panda Restaurant Group please visit www.pandaexpress.com or become a fan on Facebook.
Panda Cares Foundation’s mission is to bring hope to children in need. Our purpose is to foster the spirit of giving at Panda Restaurant Group by serving the Health and Education needs of underserved children. Panda Restaurant Group underwrites all administrative costs, so that 100% of the money raised benefits underserved youth and disaster relief efforts during times of need. For more information regarding Panda Cares Foundation please visit www.pandacares.org.