Arvest Bank, Salvation Army Unite for School Supplies, Food Drive

Arvest Bank in Fayetteville and Elkins, in partnership with the Salvation Army, has mounted a July donation drive for school supplies and monetary support.

Arvest customers can drop off donations at any location in Fayetteville, including Walmart Supercenters and Private Banking, as well as at the 2045 N Center St. location in Elkins.

This is the first year Arvest and Salvation Army have teamed up to assist those in need, said Karen Gray, Arvest vice president for marketing and public relations.

“We don’t have a specific goal in mind,” Gray said. “But we would like to serve as many students as we can.”

Bank customers are also being asked to bring donations for the food bank, which, Gray said, is low on inventory.

“I was shocked when I saw how low it was,” Gray said. “The need doesn’t drop off in the summer, but the donations do.”

Dawn Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Salvation Army, said even though the beginning of school might be weeks away, now is a good time to think about students from low-income families.

“We will need some time to sort and organize the supply of donations, evaluate what students need and fill in those holes,” Rodriquez said. “Some retailers are setting out their school supplies during July, so if you start shopping for your student, you can pick up an extra pack of paper or bundle of pencils and help another student in Northwest Arkansas.”

If this year’s drive is a success, it might become an annual event, according to the press release issued by Arvest.