Atlanta Mayor Awards Arby's Foundation Phoenix Award for 'School's Out, Food's In' Childhood Hunger Relief Efforts

ATLANTA, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Arby's Foundation, the charitable arm of Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. (ARG), will be awarded the coveted Phoenix Award by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on May 15, 2014 for their efforts to help end childhood hunger in Georgia and throughout the U.S. through their "School's Out, Food's In" partnership with Share Our Strength.  In support of this youth-related cause, Arby's and the Arby's Foundation are inviting Atlanta-area residents to visit their nearest Arby's restaurant on May 16, when 10 percent of all proceeds will be donated to Mayor Reed's Centers of Hope summer meals program.

Free summer meal programs are critical to help meet the nutritional needs of kids at risk of hunger during the months when school is not open.  The Arby's Foundation also announced during the kick-off of this year's "Hungry for Happiness" mobile tour that they will be providing all APS students in grades pre-K through five with punch cards redeemable for 10 wholesome kids' meals this summer. The cards will also provide families in need of assistance during this time of year, a texting program with Share Our Strength's "No Kid Hungry" campaign, which connects people to local summer meal sites through their mobile phones.

"I'm so pleased that the Arby's Foundation has kicked off their national pilot program for 'School's Out, Food's In" right here in Atlanta," said Mayor Kasim Reed. "With more than 77 percent of APS students qualifying for free or reduced price school meals, contributions like this are critical to supporting the alleviation of childhood hunger, particularly during the vulnerable summer months."

Twenty-one million kids in the U.S. receive a free or reduced price lunch, and only three million of those kids have access to that meal in the summer time. While one in five children in the U.S. are at risk for hunger, that statistic jumps to one in four in Georgia.

"Children can't be their best without proper nourishment," said Paul Brown, CEO of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. "And summer is a particularly challenging time when access to food is even more difficult as schools are closed. We want to help alleviate that problem.

We're pleased to work with Mayor Reed and help test programs in our own backyard that will provide the children of Atlanta with access to nutritious meals this summer and potentially help solve a very serious challenge for our youth nationwide."

Arby's is the largest quick service restaurant to partner in a nationwide effort with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, which is dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America, and has raised more than $11 million for its mission since 2011. Arby's and the Arby's Foundation have generated significant national awareness of the childhood hunger movement by leveraging its restaurants and digital and social media properties in the fight to end childhood hunger in Atlanta and America.

About the Arby's Foundation, Inc.
The Arby's Foundation, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in America, is the charitable arm of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.  Building on a philanthropic heritage that has contributed more than $57 million to child-related causes since its inception in 1986, the Arby's Foundation has launched a bold new movement to educate, mobilize and empower Americans with the knowledge and resources needed to ensure food security for every single child.  With more than 16.7 million U.S. children—more than 1 in 5—facing hunger daily, the Arby's Foundation has devoted its resources to providing education and access to wholesome food choices for children across the country. The Arby's Foundation is a registered 501 (c) (3) organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.  To learn more, visit www.arbysfoundation.org. 

About Arby's Restaurant Group
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading international quick-service restaurant company operating and franchising nearly 3,400 restaurants worldwide. Arby's was the first nationally franchised, coast-to-coast sandwich chain and has been serving fresh, craveable meals since it opened its doors in 1964. The Arby's brand strives to inspire smiles through delicious experiences. We are on a never-ending quest for the perfect sandwich, starting with the Classic Roast Beef and French Dip to the deli-style Market Fresh® line of sandwiches and salads. Visit Arbys.com for more information and to connect with Arby's on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram and other social media channels.

About Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign
No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters.  This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

SOURCE Arby's Foundation