The Arby’s Foundation presented Jessie’s Place with a check for $6,000 Tuesday afternoon as part of its grant initiative to combat childhood hunger. The food provider has partnered with youth-focused organizations for more than 30 years and local Arby’s operators nominated the Mission to receive these funds “based on the great work [being done] in the community … on a daily basis.”

Matt Dendy, Arby’s senior director of operations and keynote speaker at this afternoon’s conference, reflected this idea of promoting unity and solving problems in a ground-up approach throughout his presentation. He challenged the employees to “live lives of purpose” and to realize that success “isn’t about the sales, it’s about the people.”

Alabama-based Arby’s establishments raised more than $221,000 in 2018 to help children in need and has set a goal of $250,000 for 2019.

Other local charities that benefited from the grant included Lifeline Children’s Services, which received $10,000, and Big Oak Ranch, which also received $6,000.