BENTONVILLE -- In early September, Arvest Bank announced the beginning of its fifth annual 1 Million Meals campaign, which challenges bank associates, customers and community members to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves by providing at least one million meals to those in need. Today, the bank announced the campaign has exceeded 500,000 meals, or halfway to its goal.
"We're happy to announce our 1 Million Meals initiative is right on track and so far has raised more than 500,000 meals for those in need," Lori Winesburg, sales manager and executive vice president of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs, said. "We are grateful for every donation we have received from our partners, customers and community. So many people have worked hard to make this happen and many more will be looking forward to reaching our goal of one million meals by the end of the month."
Arvest branches throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma have been participating in this initiative by collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations. These efforts will continue through Oct. 31, with the intention of reaching one million meals donated to the local communities Arvest serves just in time for the holidays.
Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for local, hungry families.
Locally, Arvest Bank in Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith area has partnered with 17 organizations. Those organizations are: Helping Hands, Bentonville; Shepherds Food Pantry, Bella Vista; 7hills Homeless Center, Fayetteville; Life Source International, Fayetteville; Madison County Senior Activity and Wellness Center, Huntsville; The Grace Place, Lincoln; First Baptist Church of Lowell; Food Pantry, Lowell and Pleasant Crossing; West Fork Elementary Backpack Program, West Fork; Prairie Grove School Backpack Program, Prairie Grove; The Ambassador Club, Prairie Grove; Samaritan Community Center, Rogers; The Manna Center, Siloam Springs, Gentry and Kansas; Springdale Public Schools Health Services, Springdale; NWA Food Bank, Arvest Bank Operations; Community Services Clearinghouse, Fort Smith; River Valley Food Bank, Fort Smith; River Valley Food 4 Kids, Fort Smith.
These organizations will receive all of the nonperishable food and monetary donations made in Arvest in Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith through Oct. 31.
Residents of Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith can help support these organizations during the initiative by dropping off nonperishable food items or monetary donations at any local Arvest branch or calling (866) 952-9523 to contribute.
For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.
About Arvest Bank
Arvest Bank operates more than 270 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a group of 16 locally managed banks, each with its own board and management team. These banks serve customers in more than 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.
General News on 10/07/2015