Arvest’s community initiative reaches milestone

In early September, Arvest Bank announced the beginning of its 1 Million Meals initiative that challenges bank associates, customers and communities alike to fight hunger in the 90 communities the bank serves by providing one million meals or more to those in need. Monday (Oct. 8), the bank announced that the campaign has exceeded 500,000 meals, or half way to the goal of one million meals.

Craig Rivaldo, Arvest Bank president in Fort Smith, said, “We are very fortunate to have such generous neighbors in the communities that Arvest serves. Reaching this halfway point to raising one million meals for those in need is quite an accomplishment, and I just want to thank everyone for their help. Arvest associates have worked extremely hard to make this happen and are excited about reaching our goal by the first of November.”

All Arvest branches have been participating in this initiative through collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations during the month of September. These efforts will continue through the end of October with the intention of reaching one million meals to be donated in the local communities Arvest serves during early November and just in time for the holidays.

Fifteen Northwest Arkansas and River Valley organizations will receive nonperishable food and monetary donations made to Arvest Bank branches in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley now through Nov. 3.

Those organizations include:
Fort Smith – The Community Services Clearinghouse for the Meals for Kids backpack program and Arkansas Rice Depot for the Food for Kids backpack program.

Fayetteville – LifeSource International and 7hills Homeless Center

Springdale – Springdale Public Schools

Madison County — Madison County Senior Center Meals on Wheels program

Prairie Grove – West Fork Elementary Backpack Program, The Grace Place, Life Ministries and Farmington Senior Center

Siloam Springs – Genesis House

Lowell — First Baptist Church of Lowell Food Pantry

Benton County – Samaritan Community Center, Helping Hands of Benton County and The Shepherd’s Food Pantry in Bella Vista
 
Northwest Arkansas and River Valley residents can help by dropping off nonperishable food items or purchasing a 1 Million Meals paper plate for $1 at any Arvest branch in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley during the initiative, or calling (866) 952-9523 to contribute.  Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for local, hungry families.

For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.