PANDA EXPRESS OF BENICIA has donated lunch for 145 children aged 7 to 11 who participated in a free, two-week summer day camp in Richmond.

In addition, the local restaurant, 804 Southampton Road, provided lunch for the camp’s 25 adult volunteers, said Amy Collins, a Benicia resident familiar with the program.

The summer day camp is operated by the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, best known as the order to which Mother Teresa belonged.

It has been an annual event since 2007, Collins said, and it is run in accordance with Mother Teresa’s motto, “Do little things with great love.”

The camp takes place at St. Mark’s Church, Richmond, and most of the children who attend are of Hispanic origin, but it is open to children of any background, belief or faith and any residency, Collins said.

Benicia residents who volunteer at the camp first approached Billy Trinidad, manager of Panda Express of Benicia, and explained the project to him, Collins said.

“Amy came by one time, asking for any support we could give,” Trinidad said. “I said maybe we could donate some food.” After another conversation with Collins, and after his supervisors concurred, he also offered to prepare the meals as well.

“He was quick to recognize the love behind this project,” Collins said, recalling that Trinidad told her, “We are encouraged to do one charitable community event per organization per year to help the underserved children in our community. This will fit the bill.”

To cook lunch for 170 people, Trinidad and his staff started early in the morning so lunches were ready to be delivered by 11 a.m. that day, Collins said.

Raley’s ‘nickelAid’ Raises $100,000 for Travis Fisher House

Raley’s Family of Fine Stores has given Friends of Travis Fisher House a $100,000 check raised by customers through Raley’s “nickelAid” program.

The Fisher House Foundation operates a network of homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment at nearby military and Veterans Administration hospitals.

This particular Fisher House is on the grounds of the David Grant United States Air Force Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield.

Since its founding by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $282 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

“The Friends of Travis Fisher House is greatly appreciative to Raley’s for this generous donation,” said Terry Meader, treasurer.

Meader said the donation “will go far toward our normal operating expenses for food, supplies and upkeep.” In addition, the foundation will use the money to repair or replace its gazebo, cover its patio and pay for repairs and upkeep to its children’s playground.

Through nickelAid, every time a customer at a Raley’s, Bel Air Market, Nob Hill Foods or Food Source grocery uses a reusable grocery bag (whether paper, plastic or canvas), the company gives 5 cents to the foundation and picks up all of the administrative fees, Raley’s spokesperson Chelsea Minor said.

“Raley’s is proud to support our local communities, and it is with great honor that we donate $100,000 to Friends of Travis Fisher House,” Minor said. “In partnership with our customers, we are reducing the number of plastic bags in the waste stream while giving back to our community.”

However, since regulations on the use of plastic bags are changing, the company soon will discontinue its nickelAid program, Minor said.

For more information, visit www.fisherhouse.org.

Biznet slates networking ‘Business at Breakfast’

Benicia Chamber of Commerce’s Biznet Committee will have a Business at Breakfast networking event at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Benicia Grill, 4760 East Second St.

Reservations are required by Monday, and cost is $10 per person. Those interested may contact Benicia Chamber of Commerce by phone at 707-745-2120, by fax at 707-745-2275 or by email at BeniciaChamber@aol.com.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about business-oriented news, such as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.

Submissions will be edited for length and content; and need to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email; and provide contact information.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat.

Please email news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and put “Attn. Business Beat” in the subject line, as well as the name of the business.

The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com.