Arvest Provides More Than 1.7 Million Meals
Two months ago, Arvest Bank launched its annual 1 Million Meals initiative to fight hunger in the four-state region.
ANDERSON — Two months ago, Arvest Bank launched its annual 1 Million Meals initiative to fight hunger in the four-state region the bank serves. The bank announced today that, with the help of customers and community members, it has exceeded the campaign goal by raising a total of 1,712,601 meals in the fight against hunger.
Launched in 2011, Arvest’s 1 Million Meals campaigns have raised a six-year total of 9,604,185 meals, which includes more than $1.6 million in funds given directly to the bank’s more than 60 local food partners.
This year’s campaign total of 1,712,601 meals was made possible through donations from the bank, Arvest associates, customers and community members through fundraisers, events and nonperishable food drives in all Arvest branches throughout April and May. With summer here, the success of the campaign is especially meaningful because many schoolchildren will be without the meals they ordinarily receive at school.
“We’re so excited to provide — thanks to the considerable efforts of our associates, customers and members of our community — so many meals to our neighbors in need,” Tara Cosgrove, Community Bank President of Arvest Bank, said. “We also hope 1 Million Meals has increased hunger awareness in McDonald County. We will continue to fight hunger in our community long after this year’s initiative has ended by bringing people together to support those in need. I am proud of — and humbled by — our success, and look forward to continuing to give back to our community.”
In McDonald County, Arvest partnered with Crosslines of McDonald County for the campaign. The organization received all local donations, and this year 13,497 total meals were provided in McDonald County. All money and food items raised through this campaign directly benefited 66 different organizations feeding local communities in four states — Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
The bank’s decision to provide one million meals was based on the fact hunger is an issue in every community it serves. In 2014, 17 percent of American households surveyed reported food hardship, or not having adequate funds to provide enough food for their family.
Arvest Bank operates more than 270 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a network of 16 locally managed banks, each with its own board of directors and management team. These banks serve customers in 120 communities with 12-hour weekday banking at most locations. Arvest also provides a wide range of banking services including loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing. Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.