Arvest launches 1 million meals campaign

Arvest Bank announced Monday (April 4) an initiative to fight hunger in the more than 90 communities the bank operates. The two month, bank-wide effort has a goal to provide one million meals or more to those in need.

The bank has pledged to raise the equivalent of one million meals through bank donations, in-branch fundraisers and non-perishable food drives to benefit area organizations fighting hunger.

The initiative takes place in April and May, and culminates in June when donations are presented to recipient organizations. During that time, all Arvest branches will participate in cash donation and non-perishable food drive efforts, among others, in order to provide the equivalent of one million meals to community organizations fighting hunger. The recipient organizations will be selected locally.

“In the Fort Smith/River Valley Region we have selected the River Valley Regional Food Bank as the recipient of our bank monetary donation,” said Craig Rivaldo, president and CEO at Arvest Bank in the Fort Smith area. “In our local efforts to fight hunger we are partnering with community agencies with Backpack Programs to be the recipients of our in-branch fundraising and food drive donations, including Mena, Paris, Clarksville and Russellville public schools and the Community Services Clearinghouse in Fort Smith which also services Greenwood, Van Buren, Alma, Poteau and Sallisaw.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 15% of American households, or more than 17 million people, do not have enough food to eat. This is the highest figure since the USDA began gathering data in the 1990s.

Area residents can help by participating in local Arvest-sponsored events. Every Arvest branch will conduct non-perishable food drives during April and May. Also, paper plates will be sold for a $1 donation in May.

Look for more information to be released in the next few weeks regarding specific fundraising efforts.