On Tuesday, July 17, the Arby’s Foundation hosted its third annual Dream Big Atlanta event. The benefit concert featured live performances from Atlanta-based music artist Alex Guthrie and multi-platinum band Smash Mouth. More than 700 people attended the event, which helped to raise more than $400,000.
 
The event rallied the local Atlanta community together to support childhood hunger, youth leadership and career readiness initiatives while enjoying a night of music and entertainment. At the event, the Arby’s Foundation:

Presented a $150,000 grant to Horizons Atlanta to help advance their mission of closing the opportunity gap for Atlanta’s youth through summer learning opportunities

Awarded annual Dream Big Scholarship to Cristo Rey student Nala Bishop to support her studies

Surprised Guthrie on-stage with a contribution to Enduring Hearts, an organization personally close to the artist
 
“By raising more than $400,000, Dream Big Atlanta has embodied our core value to ‘Dream Big’ for the third straight year,” said Stuart Brown, Executive Director, Arby’s Foundation. “Through our work with nonprofits like Horizons Atlanta, we are driving real change that is felt in Atlanta and beyond.”
 
For Guthrie, this performance was a way for him to give thanks to his hometown of Atlanta. The event also marked Smash Mouth’s first performance with all five of its original members in nearly a decade.
 
“The energy at last night’s Dream Big Atlanta was contagious. You could tell that everyone felt good knowing they were giving back,” said Steve Harwell, lead singer, Smash Mouth. “Music is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re grateful to the Arby’s Foundation for inviting us to headline this event.”
 
Dream Big Atlanta is just one way that the Arby’s Foundation is dedicated to making a difference and helping kids dream big. This fall, Arby’s restaurants across the country will be collecting donations from guests to support three national nonprofit partners: No Kid Hungry, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters.