Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future During Lunar New Year at Panda Express

This Friday, February 12, 2021, marks the beginning of Lunar New Year and the Year of the Ox in the Chinese zodiac. Lunar New Year is one of the world’s biggest festivals centered around food, family and togetherness.

To bring to life the spirit of Lunar New Year and invite those who may be unfamiliar, Panda created a 3-minute short film  that tells the story of a young man discovering the meaning of the holiday in his own way. The short film depicts many Lunar New Year traditions, including the exchange of lucky red envelopes, or “hóng bāo” which is typically gifted on the first day of Lunar New Year. With festivities looking a bit different than years before, Panda has created a unique digital red envelope experience, allowing guests to share good fortunes with their loved ones from near or far. Through Feb. 28, guests can visit PandaLNY.com and create personalized digital red envelopes with special messages and stickers

Since 2007, Panda Express has been bringing good fortune to millions of kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by raising donations year-round. Funds donated stay local and impact patients and families in your community. Additionally, Panda has opened numerous Panda Cares Centers of Hope, which are hospital spaces designed to provide a safe and comforting place where kids can be kids again.

We want to join alongside the associates and guests celebrating this Lunar New Year and take a moment to recognize the immense impact made on UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in 2020. More than $54,000 was raised for pediatric research, education, and special services at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. These funds directly support programs like Child Life services, a team of certified and trained professionals that work with pediatric patients and their families to cope with the emotional stress of hospitalization and illness. In 2020 alone, more than $400,000 of funds from Children’s Miracle Network partners like Panda Express helped support the Child Life program at UF. Panda Express has raised more than $300,000 for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital since 2007.

To bring good fortune to your family this Lunar New Year, visit your nearest Panda Express location to pick up a family meal and try the holiday classic, Firecracker Chicken Breast, back for a limited time only. The dish features all-white, raised without antibiotics chicken breast, fresh bell peppers, onions, green beans and whole dried chilis all wok-tossed in a savory black bean sauce. We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with Panda and the many ways they address the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of children, bringing them courage and hope to heal and thrive. #PandaCares

In 2020, Panda Express associates and guests donated more than $21 million to 131 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, bringing the total to more than $100M over the lifetime of this partnership.