Arvest Kicks Off Sixth Year of Fighting Hunger

TULSA, Okla. — 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 Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) reports 17 percent of American households surveyed in 2014 reported food hardship, or not having adequate funds to provide enough food for their family.
                                                                                      
Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring this year rather than its traditional fall timeframe due largely 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 2013, for example, the number of Oklahoma free and reduced-price students who participated in the National School Lunch Program was less than 2 percent of the number who participated in the program during the 2013-2014 school year, according to the FRAC. 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 to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families today, and it will continue through May 28. The initiative will conclude during the first two full weeks of June, when donations are presented to 69 local organizations who feed the hungry in their communities.
                                           
Arvest Bank in Tulsa has partnered with The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for the duration of the initiative. All donations received will go to The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to provide meals to local, hungry families. Tulsa residents can participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any of the Arvest branches in the Tulsa area or calling (866) 952-9523. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.

“We’re excited to kick off our sixth annual 1 Million Meals campaign,” Kim Adams, Arvest Bank sales manager in Tulsa, said. “Our associates especially look forward to joining The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, our customers and the community in an effort to impact hunger at a local level.

“The donations we raise here in Tulsa stay local and benefit The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. They also will provide help at a time – the summer – when many children go without meals they typically receive at school. It’s a privilege for Arvest to provide a boost to The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma during a time of year that traditionally has been a challenge in terms of fundraising and providing meals to families in need.”

Each of Arvest Bank’s 69 recipient organizations was selected on a local basis.

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

About Arvest Bank: Arvest Bank operates more than 270 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a group of 16 locally managed banks, each with its own board and management team. These banks serve customers in more than 120 communities, with 12-hour weekday banking at most locations. Arvest also provides a wide range of banking services including loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing. Arvest is an equal housing lender and member FDIC.