Owners of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Panera Bread company is giving $5.5 million in aid to Holocaust survivors. The pledge comes after finding out that their family’s ancestors were supporters of the Nazi regime. Russian civilians and French war prisoners were also forced to work in their factories.
The Reimann family donation will be given to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against German. It was announced on Thursday and will be used to support thousands of Holocaust survivors according to a press release.
Conference president Julius Berman said in a statement:
“Elderly, poor Holocaust survivors need food, medicine, and heat in the winter. These funds will enable thousands of survivors to live in dignity.”
Back in March this year, German outlet Bild unveiled documents retrieved from Germany, the United States, and France. The reported documents proved that Albert Reimann Sr. and son, Albert Reimann Jr. supported Adolf Hitler in the Third Reich.
Spokesman of company owners and managing partners of the Reimann’s JAB Holding Co., Peter Harf did not deny Bild’s report. Harf told the outlet that the family previously hired a history professor back in 2014 to investigate the Nazi past within the family. The move was made after finding documents belonging to Reimann Sr.
According to Harf, Bild’s report was consistent with the professor’s findings. “We were ashamed,” he said of finding out the results. “These crimes are disgusting.”
The aid will be carried out through the Alfred Landecker Foundation. It will be distributed over a three-year period starting next year.