Boys & Girls Club to Open Panda Cares Center
The renovated Brownwood facility will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, after a Panda Express partnership funded updates.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Boys & Girls Club of Brown County will hold a grand opening for its renovated Panda Cares Center of Hope from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026. The club completed the facility renovations through a partnership with Panda Express.
Why it matters
The renovations addressed floor plan limitations that cost the club valuable square footage, expanding space for the roughly 100 kids and teens it serves each day in Brownwood. The added technology, STEM and reading spaces support the club's role as a safe place outside school hours.
The club reports more than $300,000 invested in facility renovations since 2021 and serves about 100 kids and teens daily, with over 300 individual kids served each year. Its cost is less than 10 percent of average outside-of-school care, though the source does not detail the full renovation budget.
The players
Boys & Girls Club of Brown County
A youth development organization that has operated for 30 years as a safe place for children and teens outside school hours in Brown County.
Katherine Palmer
CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County, who presented the grand opening details to the Brownwood City Council.
The details
The center houses a technology lab, STEM lab, homework area and dedicated reading area, furnished with new lab tables, modular seating, wobble stools and individual study carrels. Renovations also include a teaching kitchen, renovated HVAC units, and the former South Elementary gym, now air-conditioned.
Timeline
Since 2021: Club invests more than $300,000 in facility renovations.
Last year: Club serves over 17,000 free snacks to members.
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026: CEO Katherine Palmer presents grand opening details to Brownwood City Council.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Grand opening of the Panda Cares Center of Hope.
Industry Dynamics
The Brown County club's renovation follows the Boys & Girls Clubs of America model of local affiliates expanding dedicated homework, STEM and reading spaces. The partnership with Panda Express reflects how corporate philanthropy is increasingly used to fund community facility upgrades.
Families in Brown County gain access to an expanded technology lab, STEM space and reading area for children outside school hours. The club's cost, under 10 percent of average outside-of-school care, makes these programs more affordable for local households.
The takeaway
Local youth programs with dedicated study and STEM space can offer affordable after-school support, so parents may want to ask nearby clubs about their facilities and costs. Visiting the open house is a practical way to see what is available.
What happens next
The Panda Cares Center of Hope holds its grand opening from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026.
Further reading
For more on how corporate partners fund local causes, explore Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brownwood News.
