The Arby's Foundation aims to end Atalnta childhood Hunger via 'School's Out, Foods IN' program

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ATLANTA  – For the millions of children who receive free or reduced price lunch while school is in session, the end of the school year can cause more stress than celebration. In Georgia, the child food insecurity rate is 28 percent, meaning one in four children have limited access to adequate food. To help combat childhood hunger in Atlanta, the Arby’s Foundation will kick off its annual “School’s Out, Food’s In” program to ensure at-risk children in the community receive proper nourishment during the summer months. Prior to the last day of school, all elementary Atlanta public school children will receive meal cards to redeem 10 free, wholesome Arby’s® Kid’s Meals throughout the summer.
“Childhood hunger is a serious issue that affects families all over the country, yet many of us don’t realize food insecurity occurs in our own communities,” said Chris Fuller, Executive Director, Arby’s Foundation. “Through our ’School’s Out, Food’s In’ program, we are committed to ensuring every child receives the food and nourishment they need when they no longer have access to school meals. Together, we can support our neighbors in the fight against childhood hunger and give kids the worry-free summer they deserve.”
As part of the “School’s Out, Food’s In” program, the Arby’s Foundation will work with Atlanta Public Schools to distribute 28,750 meal cards, each redeemable for 10 free meals, to its elementary schools. Each meal card also provides the national summer meals texting number so families can find free, federal summer meals programs in their community.
“During the summer months, many of our students have limited access to healthy meals while schools are closed,” said Dr. Marilyn Hughes, director of nutrition administration for Atlanta Public Schools.  “The continued partnership with the Arby’s Foundation’s ‘School’s Out, Food’s In’ program provides easily accessible meals for these students. APS is happy to be a part of the initiative again this year as we join the Arby’s Foundation’s efforts to end childhood hunger in Atlanta.”
While school is in session, more than 21 million school children nationwide receive free or reduced price lunch; however, five out of six of those children do not receive that meal in the summer, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Arby’s Foundation has provided access to more than 1.85 million wholesome meals in local markets through its “School’s Out, Food’s In” initiative since it launched in 2014. This year, nearly 165,000 meal cards will be distributed in participating cities across the country, providing access to 1.65 million meals in these markets.
The Arby’s Foundation was founded as a way for Arby’s to give back to the communities it serves. Over the past 30 years, the Arby’s Foundation has donated more than $76 million to various youth-related causes across America and has had a specific focus on childhood hunger since 2011.  As part of the brand’s year-round commitment to ending childhood hunger, every purchase of an Arby’s Kids Meal helps fund the work of the Arby’s Foundation.
For more information on the Arby’s Foundation and ways to get involved, visit wwww.arbysfoundation.org.

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