Arby's believes that every child deserves to learn, play and grow. But children cannot grow and thrive when they are distracted by growling stomachs.

In America, more than 16 million children (nearly one in five) struggle with hunger. They live in families that lack the means to regularly put enough nutritious food on the table for everyone to live healthy, active lives.

Facts About Childhood Hunger in America:

• 16.2 million kids in America struggle with hunger. (Source: USDA Household Food Security in the United States)
• 10.5 million kids eligible for free or reduced-price school breakfast do not get it. (Source: Food Research and Action Center, School Breakfast Scorecard)
• More than 20 million kids get a free or reduced-price school lunch on an average school day. (Source: Food Research and Action Center, School Breakfast Scorecard)
• Six out of 7 eligible kids do not get free summer meals. (Source: Food Research and Action Center, "Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report)
• In 2010, 40.3 million people in over 18.6 million households across America got help through SNAP (food stamps); about half of those households (8.9 million) were households with children. (Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Services)
  

• Children who struggle with hunger are sick more often, recover more slowly, and are more likely to be hospitalized.
• They are more likely to experience headaches, stomachaches, colds, ear infections and fatigue.
• Children who face hunger are more susceptible to obesity and its harmful health consequences as children and as adults.

Education

• Undernourished children 0-3 years of age cannot learn as much, as fast or as well.
• Lack of enough nutritious food impairs a child's ability to concentrate and perform well in school.

Emotional and Social Well-Being

• Children who regularly do not get enough nutritious food to eat have significantly higher levels of behavioral, emotional and academic problems and be more aggressive and anxious.
• Teens who regularly do not get enough to eat are more likely to be suspended from school and have difficulty getting along with other kids.
  

Childhood hunger is a growing problem, but this is one fight that we can win!
America does not lack the quantity and quality of nutritious foods that our communities need to ensure healthy kids. However, many communities do lack proper information and access to resources.

Click here for more information about how the Arby's Foundation is helping fight childhood hunger.

Click here for more information about how you can get involved in the fight!

Need help? Check out these resources from Share Our Strength, or call the national hunger hotline at 1.866.3.HUNGRY (1.866.348.6479).