How to Get Pastries for Almost Free
The following Everyday Savings Tip comes from, Stephanie:
I like to visit Panera Bread about 10 minutes before they close, because at that time they are getting rid of all their baked goods. I went in one night to get bagels to bring in to work the next morning and the girl working there only made me pay for one bagel and gave me two huge bags of bagels for free!
She told me they donate whatever they have left to a charity every night. They always end up having so much leftover that they give some to customers at the end of the night as well. Since then, I visit a couple times a month for bagels or pastries. They always send me home with a huge bag, I don't even have to ask!
Have you found other restaurants or stores that do this?
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I, too, have had this happen.
BUT–I then learned that non profits pick up all the leftovers each night. For example, a lady at my church picks it up once a week for a non profit she volunteers for. She then packages everything into care packages for elderly and shut-ins. Other groups taking the food could be homeless shelters, low income schools, etc.
Just a thought–I’d rather their bagels, breads, and treats go to people who truly NEED it rather than me, where it’s just a treat.
I also wanted to mention the non-profit donation program – many Panera’s won’t even give free items at the end of the day because they donate to local non-profits. I used to work for a non-profit in Hamilton that received a donation of day-old items from Panera once a week and it was such a blessing to the people we served. So keep this in mind also. Most non-profits also share amongst themselves if they have leftovers themselves.