Contact:

Megan Dardanell 412-350-3711 office 412-327-3700 cell

PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato today announced Panera Bread has partnered with the County to expand the annual phone card drive for U.S. troops who are stationed overseas.  International phone cards will be collected at all 26 Panera Bread Cafes in the Pittsburgh region through Dec. 31. Anyone who donates a card will receive a free cookie in exchange.

“This drive is an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the men and women who are far away from their families and friends, protecting all of us here at home,” said Onorato. “I want to thank Panera Bread for joining in our effort to connect troops with their loved ones during the holidays and make them feel closer to home.”

This is the sixth year the Allegheny County Special Events Office has coordinated the program. In the previous five years, the County collected nearly 100,000 minutes worth of phone cards. Since Veterans’ Day, more than 14,000 minutes have already been donated.

“It’s important that we remember the sacrifices that men and women in the armed services make for our freedom,” said Allegheny County Veteran Services Director Ronald Conley. “We have been very successful in the previous years, and we hope to build upon that success.”

The phone cards will be delivered by the 171st Air Refueling Wing, 911th Airlift Wing, and 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the Army Reserve. 

International phone cards can also be mailed to: Allegheny County Special Events Office, 515B County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. They also may be dropped off at Boyce, Hartwood, North, Round Hill, Settler’s Cabin, South and White Oak park offices.

For additional information, call 412-350-2529.