Panera Bread’s Operation: Stock the Shelves, a canned food drive benefiting the Salvation Army, was Nov. 17. All Panera Bread locations in Lawrence, Wichita, Manhattan, Topeka, the Kansas City area, and St. Joseph, Mo., participated.

Due to the state of the economy, the Salvation Army has experienced a 30 percent increase in need for assistance this year and its food pantries are having trouble keeping the shelves full. Panera Bread of Kansas asked its guests to bring in a nonperishable food item and receive a free cup of coffee or soft drink as a thank you. Guests who donated 10 or more items received a coupon for a free order of Panera Bread’s new Macaroni & Cheese.

Overall, Panera Bread of Kansas collected more than 25 barrels of nonperishable food items from its 29 locations. More than 3,000 total items were collected. The Lawrence store collected more than 30 items, a quarter barrel.