
February 5, 2024
Press Release
This January, the Arby’s Foundation has donated $1 million to pay off the school lunch debt for more than 47,000 students at 762 schools across the country. With more than $19 million in unpaid meal debt (School Nutrition Association) and 30 million students who cannot afford their meals (Education Data Initiative), the donations aim to address the dramatic increase in student school lunch debt in the United States. In Clinton, Arby’s proudly donated $21,091.00 to the Clinton Public Schools to completely pay off lunch debt for 433 students.
“Childhood hunger is something that no one should ever have to face, and school lunch should be a time that kids look forward to without worrying if they’ll have a meal that day,” said Stuart Brown, Executive Director, Arby’s Foundation. “We’re honored to have partnered with so many local school districts to help those students enjoy lunchtime with their classmates, and ease the burden on parents.”
The Arby’s Foundation believes reliable access to meals is ground zero for a child’s success. Since 2011, the Foundation has given more than $30 million to organizations dedicated to finding systemic solutions to childhood hunger with the hope of allowing kids to focus on building, expanding and pursuing their dreams rather than worrying about their next meal.
To learn more about the school lunch debt payoff program, guests can visit foundation.arbys.com/lunchdebt. To learn more about the Arby’s Foundation, visit foundation.arbys.com.
About Arby’s
Arby’s, founded in 1964, is the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world with more than 3,500 restaurants in eight countries. Arby’s is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit Arbys.com and InspireBrands.com.
About Arby’s Foundation
The Arby’s Foundation, the charitable arm of Arby’s, helps America’s kids dream big and pursue their dreams with confidence. Building on a philanthropic heritage that has contributed more than $120 million to youth-related causes since 1986, the Arby’s Foundation is committed to helping kids build, expand and pursue their dreams as we focus our efforts on childhood hunger, youth leadership and career readiness initiatives. The Arby’s Foundation is a division of the Inspire Brands Foundation, which is a registered 501©(3).
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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