Arvest Exceeds Meals Goal

PRAIRIE GROVE — 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 that, with the help of customers and communities, it has exceeded the campaign goal by raising a total of 1,806,844 meals in the fight against hunger.

The campaign total of 1,806,844 meals was made possible through donat ions f rom the bank, Arvest associates, customers and community members through fundraisers, events and nonperishable food drives in all Arvest branches throughout September and October.

The success of the campaign comes just in time to help local food pa rt n e rs meet their increased need dur ing the ho li d ay season.

“We are thrilled that, with the help of our community, customers and associates, Arvest was able to provide so many meals to our neighbors in need. And we hope that our efforts have increased hunger awareness in Prairie Grove, Farmington, West Fork and Lincoln,” said Mike Willard, Arvest Community Bank president in Prairie Grove.

“We will continue to fight hunger long after this year’s 1 Million Meals campaign has ended by bringing people together to support those in need in our community,” Willard said. “I am proud of our success and look forward to continuing to give back to our community.”

In Prairie Grove, Arvest partnered with the Prairie Grove Backpack program, the Farmington Backpack program in Farmington, the West Fork Elementary Backpack program in West Fork and The Grace Place in Lincoln for the campaign.

The orga n i za t ions received all local donations.

In total, the organizations received: Prairie Grove Backpack program — 8,462 meals; Farmington Backpack program — 6,521 meals; West Fork Elemen— tary Backpack program — 12,760 meals; Grace Place, Lincoln — 10,297 meals.

The bank’s decision to provide one million meals was based on the fact that hunger is an issue in every community it serves.

In 2012, one in six American households reported food hardship, or not having adequate funds to provide enough food for their family.