Local nonprofits and groups associated with schools, churches and other community organizations with tax-exempt status can raise funds via Panda Express through the end of the year.
Many restaurant chains offer this sort of fundraising opportunity, and Panda Express parent company Panda Restaurant Group is trumpeting the opportunity for community support to mark its 30th anniversary.
Aside from fundraising, the community groups also will be in a sort of competition, as the one that raises the most funds will receive an additional $1,000 from the restaurant chain.
The groups that are invited to participate are "critical to the health and vitality of the communities in which we live and work, and it’s important to Panda that we do our part to help them grow," said John Zhang, Panda regional director of operations for Hawaii.
The program is called the "Back-to-School Fundraiser Challenge," though groups need not be affiliated with an educational endeavor to participate.
Essentially, a group registers via the restaurant chain’s website, prints the Panda-provided flier announcing the fundraising date and details, and passes copies out to as many people as possible.
There is no limit to the number of fundraisers a group can stage.
People present the flyer when they order dine-in or takeout food at the restaurant on the fundraising date, and Panda will donate 20 percent of the pretax total to the group. The group will receive a check in four to six weeks.
After Dec. 31 the fundraisers will be tallied to determine which group raised the most and will receive the additional $1,000 in February at a red-carpet event.
Hawaii has more than two dozen Panda Express restaurants, with locations on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii island and Kauai.
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On the Net:
» PandaExpress.com
SAD FACE
Anime fans, cosplayers, gamers pro and noob, and more have lost two go-to destinations to get their geek on, with the closing of both Toys n Joys stores in Kaimuki and Aiea on Monday night.
Aside from the anime and gamer wear, the store also was a popular stop for buyers of replica swords and other weaponry including airsoft guns and gear.
The stores recently offered increasing going-out-of-business discounts after 30 years for the Kaimuki location and 25 years for the Aiea store, as reported by Star-Advertiser "Otaku Ohana" writer Jason Yadao on Sept. 12.
GOOD TRY
None of the 17 Hawaii-based Walmart "Get on the Shelf" contestants made it to the finals via online voting, according to a company spokeswoman.
Products submitted by Hawaii entrepreneurs included a dice-sized, stick-on, pop-up light; an anxiety-reducing vest for dogs; a self-contained desktop ecosystem that houses tiny red opae ula shrimp; and more than a dozen others.
The 20 finalists are vying for public votes for the top spot via reality-show producer-made webisodes. The ultimate winner will be sold via walmart.com and, possibly, on store shelves.
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On the Net:
» getontheshelf.walmart.com
CHANCE ‘UM
Hawaii food makers have a bit more time to take a stab at getting products into the military commissary system, as the entry deadline has been extended to Tuesday.
Registration of $495 includes an advance marketing class and an opportunity to meet with buyers for the Defense Commissary Agency and military exchanges.
Some 60 vendors are expected to participate in the annual American Logistics Association Hawaii Food Show on Oct. 16 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel.
Products from 11 Hawaii companies were introduced to commissary and exchange shoppers after last year’s show, including Salty Wahine gourmet salts and seasonings from Kauai, Molokaiz Backside Boyz Teri Sauce LLC from Molokai, and nutritional supplements from Nutrex Hawaii Inc. on Hawaii island.
Registration information is available from Hayley Matson-Mathes at 941-9088 or show coordinator Sharon Zambo-Fan via email at sharonzambofan@hawaii.rr.com.
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On the Net:
» supporthawaiicompanies.wordpress.com
