Arby's Foundation Invests $3 Million In The Fight To End Childhood Hunger In Georgia

ATLANTA, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arby's Foundation, the charitable arm of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. (ARG), today announced the Foundation's investment in ending childhood hunger in Georgia with a donation of $3 million to broaden the Georgia Food Bank Association's (GFBA) "Feeding for a Promising Future – No Kid Hungry" campaign. The investment will begin an innovative public/private partnership between the Arby's Foundation, the GFBA, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and other state partners.

The Arby's Foundation's mission is to end childhood hunger in America, and the Arby's Foundation sees a great opportunity to work alongside the Campaign's efforts in Georgia. This donation, coupled with the Arby's Foundation's $5 million contribution nationally over the past two years, demonstrates Arby's commitment that all children in America have access to the wholesome food they need to learn, play and grow. 

"I am honored and excited to work alongside strong corporate citizens like the Arby's Foundation and the Georgia Food Bank Association," said Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal.  "This unprecedented collaboration is on the forefront of the much needed effort to end childhood hunger in Georgia where one in four children does not know where their next meal will come from."

These funds will be used to execute a strategic plan for addressing childhood hunger in Georgia, and developing the strategy into a case study that can be replicated across the United States. Included in this investment is a collective partnership that will unite the Campaign's objectives with the objectives of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Strong4Life movement as well as Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry state campaign.

"This latest investment stands as a testament to Arby's commitment in fighting childhood hunger not only throughout the nation, but particularly here in Georgia," said Hala Moddelmog, President of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. "Through this strategic partnership with the Georgia Food Bank Association, we look forward to working together to help put an end to an issue both our organizations take extremely seriously – childhood hunger."

Both the Arby's Foundation and the GFBA will seek to strengthen and expand feeding sites in Georgia as well as increase stakeholders' efforts to address the gaps and needs of nutrition education statewide. The Arby's Foundation is proud to bring Children's Healthcare of Atlanta on board with their commitment to nutrition and the healthy development of children. 

"We are honored to call the Arby's Foundation our partner in fighting childhood hunger throughout the state of Georgia," said Bill Bolling, Founder and executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank and chairperson of the Georgia Food Bank Association. "We are confident that the community reach and influence of the Arby's Foundation will positively impact our critical efforts."

"As a community it is our responsibility to ensure healthy options are accessible to families - options that will improve their children's overall health, which is why we are proud to partner with the Arby's Foundation," adds Linda Matzigkeit, Chief Administrative Officer, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  "This is why we launched the Strong4Life movement, to get Georgia's children and families healthy by placing a focus on good nutrition and increased physical activity."

To read more about Governor Deal's Georgia wellness initiative, click here.

About the Arby's Foundation

The Arby's Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, has raised more than $57 million to support youth initiatives in the communities the foundation serves. Since joining the fight to end childhood hunger in 2011, the Arby's Foundation has raised more than $5 million nationally. The Arby's Foundation is the charitable arm of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., and works together with AFA Service Corporation (Arby's Franchise Association), Arby's suppliers and the generosity of Arby's customers and employees to ensure that all children in America have access to wholesome food choices, because every child deserves to learn, play and grow. For more information on the Arby's Foundation, please visit www.arbysfoundation.org.

About Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.

Atlanta-based Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. is the second largest quick-service sandwich chain in the U.S. with more than 3,400 restaurants system wide. In addition to its classic Roast Beef and Beef 'n Cheddar sandwiches, slow-roasted and thinly sliced in store daily, Arby's is also known for its deli-style Market Fresh® line of sandwiches and salads, Curly Fries and Jamocha Shakes. In 2011, Arby's introduced Ultimate Angus, a premium, 100% Black Angus beef featured in freshly prepared sandwiches.  In 2012, Arby's launched a line of premium turkey sandwiches called Hot Turkey Roasters.  To learn more about Arby's, please visit www.arbys.com.

About the Georgia Food Bank Association

Officially formed in 1985, the Georgia Food Bank Association (GFBA) is currently comprised of seven regional food banks which collectively distribute more than 90 million pounds of food annually to over 2,300 partner nonprofits with food assistance programs in all 159 counties throughout the state. The GFBA food banks have shared food, resources and best practices for many years to maximize their fight against hunger throughout the state. In November 2011, the Georgia Food Bank Association launched their "Feeding for a Promising Future – No Kid Hungry Campaign" in Georgia. To gain additional information about the Georgia Food Bank Association, please visit www.georgiafoodbankassociation.org.

About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, Children's is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children's offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children's has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org for more information.

SOURCE The Arby's Foundation