Arvest seeks support for Million Meals initiative

Fayetteville-chartered Arvest Bank will launch its 15th annual Million Meals initiative on April 1. Since its inception in 2011, the initiative has raised more than 25 million meals and collected more than $4.5 million in donations.

“This year, we are encouraging local businesses to join in our efforts through various partnership opportunities to engage our employees and our customers while also addressing this critical community need,” according to Arvest Bank.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas ranks the highest in the United States for food insecurity at nearly 19%. The state has consistently ranked first over the past several years. The national average for food insecurity is 12%.

In recognition of Million Meals’ 15th anniversary, the bank aims to raise 15% more meals this year. In 2024, the bank raised more than 2.6 million meals and collected more than $524,000 in donations. Million Meals is the bank’s largest community service initiative.

The money raised for the initiative goes to the more than 80 food partners in the bank’s four-state footprint. In many parts of its region, $1 can provide up to five meals.

Donations are accepted at any Arvest branch, via the Arvest Go mobile app, or online at arvest.com/millionmeals. The initiative ends on May 31.