Founders Day/Thanksgiving Day

​Dear Manna Family,
 
This week we are celebrating two special days at Panera -- Founder’s Day and one of the most special days of the year for me, Thanksgiving Day. As we take time to reflect on these two special days, I would ask each one of you to remember that, in spite of all this year continues to throw at us, there is much for which we can be thankful. 
 
First, Founder’s Day: We are grateful for those who set out to make Panera one of the best food brands in the United States and a leader from its very beginning in providing a warm and inviting environment while serving good tasting and healthy food. We not only celebrate the men and women who started this brand several decades ago but, more importantly, we celebrate all of you who continue to build on their legacy. As Josh mentioned today, we pray that as you take home a simple loaf of bread, you will pause and recognize that you are a vital part of this great company and it is because of you that we are who we are. 
 
Second, Thanksgiving Day: Giving thanks is easy for us to do verbally, but are we truly living out a life of thanksgiving? It is often hard to recognize all that we have to be thankful for, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances. You may be personally struggling with a sick loved one at home, or you just cannot seem to get ahead during these trying times. Many of the circumstances in life can beat us down and cause us to be less joyful, let alone thankful. Although it is easy to say we are thankful, it is much more difficult to live it out. I pray that this week each of you will look up, not just around you. Look beyond the daily chatter of politics and media and know that you are not alone in the world. There is a God who loves you and wants to have personal relationship with you. He alone is where we can find true joy. 
 
This week we have an opportunity to look at those around us -- family, friends, co-workers, neighbors -- and to express our appreciation for them, a simple thank you for being in our lives. At the end of the day, it is not the things or circumstances in life that define us, it is how we choose to live a life of thanksgiving and show gratitude for all the people and all the good things the Lord has put in our lives.
 
For the Saber family and the Rogers family, one of the greatest blessings we are deeply grateful for is each and every one of you. May you all have a blessed, wonderful, and happy Thanksgiving – tomorrow and all year long.
 
In His Grace,
 
Paul Saber
 
President/CEO Manna Development Group
1 Peter 4:8-11
Every Guest Every Time