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 across Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. The initiative is needed because 49 million individuals, including 16 million children, are identified as food insecure.
This is the fifth year for Arvest Bank's 1 Million Meals Campaign. Last year, associates and customers raised 1.8 million meals.
Arvest Bank kicked off the two-month, bank-wide effort to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families today and will continue accepting donations through Oct. 31. The initiative will conclude just before Thanksgiving, when donations are presented to 59 local organizations who feed the hungry in their communities.
"We're delighted to be kicking off our fifth annual 1 Million Meals campaign," said Jim Singleton, Arvest Bank president in Gravette. "Our associates look forward to joining Gravette Gardens, our customers and the community in an effort to impact hunger at a local level."
Arvest Bank in Gravette has partnered with Gravette Gardens for the duration of the initiative. All donations received will go to Gravette Gardens to provide meals to local, hungry families.
"The donations we raise here in Gravette stay local and benefit Gravette Gardens. It's a privilege for Arvest to join Gravette Gardens in providing meals to families in need, and we hope our customers and community members will help us reach our goal," Singleton said.
"We are so happy to be chosen as a recipient of Arvest Bank's initiative in our area," Jay Oliphant, treasurer, Gravette Gardens, said. "The food and funds raised as part of this campaign will go towards helping many families in Gravette, and just in time for the holiday season."
Gravette residents may participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at the Arvest branch in Gravette or calling (866) 952-9523. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.
The Gentry Arvest Bank branch is also participating in the program and partnering with the Manna Center in Siloam Springs. Gentry-area residents may participate by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at the Gentry branch of Arvest Bank, located on Main Street in Gentry.
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 09/02/2015