The end of the pandemic-era universal free lunch program has caused a dramatic increase in student school lunch debt. According to the School Nutrition Association, there’s now more than $19 million in unpaid meal debt, while data gathered by the Education Data Initiative reveals that 30 million students cannot afford their meals. To help, the Arby’s Foundation is teaming up with Tiffany Haddish to donate $1 million across the country to relieve student lunch debt.

“The Arby’s Foundation was created to help children achieve their dreams, and relieving childhood hunger is a big part of that,” says Arby’s Brand President Rita Patel. “Schools are the foundation of our communities – they help children grow into our future leaders. Doing our part to eliminate this debt is crucial in helping them reach their potential.”

The Arby’s Foundation helps America’s kids dream big and pursue those dreams. By recognizing the growing concern of school lunch debt, the Foundation is aiming to provide relief to students and their families across the country. That’s why the Arby’s Foundation is initially donating to the town Arby’s was founded in nearly 60 years ago: Boardman, Ohio.

The Foundation is partnering with Tiffany Haddish, an American stand-up comedian and actress known for her roles in films like Girls Trip, Night School, and Nobody’s Fool. “I’m so honored to be partnering with the Arby’s Foundation to support this important cause,” says Tiffany Haddish. “There are so many children and families concerned about school lunch debt as we head back to school, and I’m honored to play a small part in finding a solution.”

To submit your school for school lunch debt donation consideration, school officials should apply at foundation.arbys.com/lunchdebt. To learn more about the Arby’s Foundation, visit foundation.arbys.com.