McDonalds to give free breakfasts April 16-17

Douglas Dispatch

All Arizona McDonald's restaurants, including the local McDonalds on 5th Street, are demonstrating their commitment to children and education around Southern Arizona by offering a free wholesome breakfast to students taking the upcoming AIMS test.

The McDonald’s Free Breakfast will take place the first two days of AIMS testing April 16 and 17 from 6-9 a.m. for students in third through eighth grades. Students must be accompanied by a parent and the child must be present in order to receive the free meal.

The breakfast includes an egg mcmuffin, apple slices and the kid's choice of either 1 percent

milk, fat free chocolate milk or a small minute maid orange juice.

Last year, McDonald’s restaurants served more than 22,000 students a free breakfast on exam day.

“Whether students eat at home, at their schools or at McDonald’s, it’s important to have a well-balanced breakfast every day, especially before taking an exam like the AIMS,” said Michael Osborne, President of the local McDonald's Operator Association. “As many members of the McDonald’s family are parents themselves, we feel it is important for us to contribute to the well-being of children in our communities. A wholesome breakfast that includes food groups like fruit, whole grains and low-fat milk will help provide the fuel and nutrients students need to start the day.”

There are 51 McDonald’s restaurants in Southern Arizona. McDonald's is also one of the state's largest employers. Each year McDonald’s of Arizona returns nearly 46 cents of every dollar earned to the local economy and creates with its partners more than $712 million in local spending. The local McDonald’s also helps raise money for the local community, local schools as well as for charities like the Tucson Ronald McDonald House.