Arvest Kicks Off 1 Million Meals

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 the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) reports 17 percent of American households surveyed in 2014 reported food hardship, or not having adequate funds to provide enough food for their family.

Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring this year rather than its traditional fall timeframe due largely to the fact food banks report an increased need for food items in the summer, when many chil- dren do not have the benefit of eating meals at the schools they attend. In 2013, for example, the number of Arkansas free and reducedprice students who participated in the National School Lunch Program was less than 5 percent of the number who participated in the program during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the FRAC. Donations to food banks also tend to be lower in the spring and summer than at other times of the year.

Arvest Bank kicked off the two-month effort to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families April 4 and it will continue through May 28. The initiative will conclude during the first two full weeks of June, when donations are presented to 69 local organizations who feed the hungry in their communities.

Arvest Banks in Northwest Arkansas have partnered with 19 local organizations for the duration of the initiative. All donations received will go to these organizations to provide meals to local, hungry families. Residents can participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any of the Arvest branches in your area or calling 866-952-9523. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.

Partnering organizations in western Washington County are Grace Place in Lincoln, Prairie Grove Elementary School Backpack Program and the Ambassador Club in Farmington.

For more information, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.