Arvest Bank kicks off eighth year of its campaign to fight hunger

GRAVETTE — Arvest Bank’s 1 Million Meals initiative challenges bank associates, customers and community members to participate in fundraising efforts and nonperishable food drives to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves. The initiative is needed, as Arkansas ranks fifth among the most food-insecure states in the nation, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Arvest kicked off the two-month, bank-wide effort last week to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families, and it will continue through June 2. The initiative will conclude later that month when donations are presented to 75-plus locally selected organizations that feed the hungry in their communities.

Arvest in Gravette has partnered with Maysville Bible Food Pantry for the duration of the initiative. All donations received will go to Maysville Bible Food Pantry to provide meals to local, hungry families.

In Gentry, Arvest has partnered with GFA Pantry in Gentry this year. The local pantry provides food to local families in need.

Area residents can participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at the Arvest branches in Gravette or Gentry or calling 866952-9523. Arvest credit card customers also can donate Arvest Flex Rewards points by visiting arvestflexrewards.com and clicking on the 1 Million Meals banner. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.

“Kicking off our 1 Million Meals campaign is always an exciting time,” Jim Singleton, Arvest Bank president in Gravette, said. “Our associates look forward to joining Maysville Bible Food Pantry, our customers and the community to fight hunger.”

Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring for the third consecutive year due to the fact food banks report an increased need for food items in the summer, when many children do not have the benefit of eating meals at the schools they attend. According to the Food Research and Action Center, only one out of seven children who ate a free or reduced-priced school lunch during the 2015-16 school year were reached by the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2016. Donations to food banks also tend to be lower in the spring and summer than at other times of the year.

For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.