Bank Provides More Than 1.8 Million Meals to Local Hungry
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — 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 today 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 donations from the bank, Arvest associates, customers and community members through fundraisers, events and nonperishable food drives in all Arvest branches throughout September and October. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the success of the campaign comes just in time to help local food partners meet their increased need during the holiday season.
All money and food items raised through this campaign directly benefitted 59 different organizations feeding local communities in four states – Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
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.1
1Food Research and Action Committee 2012 Food Hardship Report by Gallup. February 2013.