Panera Bread’s first Lafayette location is hosting a preview party fundraising event next month to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Tickets to the event cost $10 and allow a patron and guest to dine in and sample the menu by ordering an entree, beverage and dessert the day before the restaurant opens to the public.

The restaurant, located in the former CiCi’s Pizza at the corner of Johnston Street and North College Road, will open to the general public at 6:30 a.m. March 17.

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All proceeds from the preview party will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, and the restaurant will continue its relationship with the local organization by donating the bakery’s unsold bread and baked goods to Second Harvest.

Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in south Louisiana through food distribution, education, advocacy and disaster response. Annually, Second Harvest serves more than 200,000 people, and for every $1 donated, the food bank can provide three meals to those in need.

A limited number of tickets are available to the tasting event, which offers two options, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. or from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 16.

Learn more or purchase tickets by visiting give.no-hunger.org/Panera or by calling Mary-Kay Rath at 408-2467.