MEMBER NEWS Arvest Kicks Off Seventh Year of Fighting Hunger
Spring Time Frame Means More Food, Funds in Summer Months 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 2015 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 second 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. In July 2015, for example, less than 9,500 students in Arkansas who participated in the National School Lunch Program participated in the summer program. According to the Food Research and Action Center, that’s compared to the more than 244,000 students who received a free or reduced-price lunch – on average – during the 2014-2015 school year. Donations to food banks also tend to be lower in the spring and summer than at other times of the year. Arvest Bank kicked off the two-month, bank-wide effort on April 3 to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families today, and it will continue through June 3. The initiative will conclude later that month, when
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Arvest employees work at a food bank during the organization’s 1 Million Meals campaign in 2016??
donations are presented to 72 local organizations that feed the hungry in their communities. Arvest Bank in central Arkansas has partnered with the Arkansas Food Bank for the duration of the initiative. All donations received will go to the food bank to provide meals to local, hungry families. Central Arkansas residents can participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any of the Arvest branches in central Arkansas or calling (866) 952-9523. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.
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“The 1 Million Meals campaign makes a big difference in the amount of food available to local families and individuals who are facing food insecurity,” said Jim Cargill, president and CEO of Arvest Bank in Little Rock. “Arvest associates work hard to exceed our goal every year, and we hope the central Arkansas community will help us succeed in that effort in support of our friends and neighbors who are in need.” Each of Arvest Bank’s 72 recipient organizations was selected on a local basis. For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.
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Be watching for details on the 2017 Mega Conference, October 23-25. 20
The Arkansas Banker | April 2017
