Arvest joined by Bright Futures collecting food

In Pea Ridge, Arvest partnered with Bright Futures of Pea Ridge for the 1 Million Meals campaign.

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 this week 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.

In Pea Ridge, Bright Futures received all local donations, and this year 3,459 total meals were provided in Pea Ridge. All money and food items raised through this cam- paign directly benefitted 66 different organizations feeding local communities in four states – Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

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,” Jeff Neil, community bank president of Arvest Bank said.

“We also hope 1 Million Meals has increased hunger awareness in Pea Ridge. 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.”

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