FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – 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 United States Department of Agriculture reports more than 12 percent of American households surveyed in 2016 were food-insecure, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle for all household members.
Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring for the third consecutive year due to the fact food banks report an increased need for food items in the summer, when many children do not have the benefit of eating meals at the schools they attend. Nationally, for example, the Food Research & Action Center said only one out of seven children who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year continues to receive meals during the summer months. Donations to food banks also tend to be lower in the spring and summer than at other times of the year.
Arvest kicked off the two-month, bank-wide effort to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families today, and it will continue through June 2. The initiative will conclude later that month, when donations are presented to 75-plus locally selected organizations that feed the hungry in their communities.
To participate in the 1 Million Meals initiative, customers and community members can donate nonperishable food items or make monetary donations at any Arvest branch or call (866) 952-9523. Arvest credit card customers also can donate Arvest Flex Rewards™ points by visiting arvestflexrewards.com and clicking on the 1 Million Meals banner. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.
For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.