The first day of school always comes with a few unknowns: a new classroom, a new teacher, new routines, and new possibilities.
At Madison Elementary, it also came with a new backpack, a Panda Express lunch, and a little good fortune.
On Monday, August 17, Panda Restaurant Group, through its philanthropic arm Panda Cares, welcomed Madison students back to school with backpacks, supplies, and a special first-day lunch. Panda volunteers distributed backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies, making sure students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade had tools ready for the work ahead.
But the backpacks were not quite identical. Attached to each was a colorful, one-of-a-kind beaded backpack charm handmade by Panda associates working behind the scenes. Each featured its own combination of beads and playful Panda-inspired details, giving every student something uniquely theirs before they even opened the bag.
Then it was time for lunch. Students gathered for free Panda Express meals featuring orange chicken, steamed rice, and, appropriately for the first day of a new year, fortune cookies. Panda also provided lunch for Madison’s teachers and staff.
This was not Panda Cares’ first time showing up for Pasadena Unified students. Through its ongoing partnership with PEF, Panda has contributed volunteers and hands-on support to local schools, including a major campus improvement day at Willard Elementary in January.
A backpack cannot predict everything a student will encounter during the school year. Neither can a fortune cookie. But with the right supplies, a caring school community, and partners willing to show up, students can begin ready for whatever comes next.
Special thanks to Panda Cares and everyone from the Panda team who helped make the day fun and memorable for Madison students!
