Center receives donation to fight hunger
July 15th, 2013

(L-R) Andy D’Agosto and Alan D’Agosto own several local Arby’s restaurants. They presented a $5,000 check to Solomon’s Girls. (Photo Courtesy of KVNO News)
Omaha, NE — The Arby’s Foundation recently donated $5,000 to the Ruth K. Solomon Girls Center as part of Arby’s Hungry for Happiness mobile tour held on July 12 at Miller Park in Omaha.
[audio:https://kvnonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ARBY.mp3]The Ruth K. Solomon Girls Center, an agency for girls ages 5-18, will use the funds to provide meals to young women and girls who attend the summer and afterschool programs.
“Arby’s has always been a huge supporter for us,†said Tammy Green, Heartland Family Services North Omaha Director. “One of the things that our young ladies are always working through is hunger and in the summer time hunger is a real issue for our kids. We’ve partnered with Arby’s for several years in a row to counteract the hunger you see in the community.â€
During the 2010-2011 school year, 42 percent of children in Nebraska received free or reduced meals, according to the Nebraska Department of Education.
Green said the summer break means no school meals which also mean there are kids who need access to food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Asjanae Harris, 14, looks forward to attending the tour every summer. She says knowing that the Arby’s Foundation cares fills her with gratitude.
“I like to thank people who help us because we’re an all-girls program,†Harris said. “I love the food and I love the activities. Being around different people is fun.â€
The community also contributed to the funds given to Solomon’s Girls, according to Andy D’Agosto, a local Arby’s franchisee who sits on the board of directors for the foundation. He said money donated by customers in their restaurants is awarded to local organizations doing great work.
“We feel that we’re doing a good thing helping children throughout the summer one have healthy nutritious meals, two get outside and exercise, and three learn from getting these nice books and getting something to read,†D’Agosto said.
Hundreds of children attending the fun day at the park were treated to Arby’s Kids Meals, free books and games. The tour’s next stops are Phoenix and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alonatay Gregory,10,Sara Clark,11,Divyn Williams,10,R’Eyona Belle,11, are a few of the girls the donation from Arby’s will benefit.(Photo Courtesy of KVNO News)

Asjanae Harris,14, and Amber Patterson,13, look forward to Arby’s Hungry for Happiness tour every year. (Photo Courtesy KVNO News)
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