In one month’s time Arvest Bank said it has collected enough to provide 640,792 meals for local food charities; and is well on its way to the 1 million meals goal set in September.
“Our 1 Million Meals initiative has hit the halfway mark and has raised more than 500,000 meals for those in need so far ... We are grateful for the generosity of our partners, customers and community, and appreciate each donation that has been made. We’re all looking forward to reaching our goal of one million meals by Nov. 1,” said Craig Rivaldo, Arvest Bank President in Benton County.
Arvest branches throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma have been participating in this initiative by collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations. These efforts will continue through Nov. 1 with the intention of reaching one million meals donated to the local communities Arvest serves just in time for the holidays.
Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for local, hungry families.
Locally, Arvest Banks in Northwest Arkansas have partnered with 16 local food organizations. These organizations will receive all of the nonperishable food and monetary donations made at Arvest locations in Northwest Arkansas through Nov. 1.
The organizations are:
• Helping Hands, Bentonville
• Shepherds Food Pantry, Bella Vista
• Farmington School Backpack Program, Farmington
• 7Hills Homeless Center, Fayetteville
• Life Source International, Fayetteville
• Gravette Gardens, Gravette
• Open Arms Food Pantry of Madison County, Huntsville
• The Grace Place, Lincoln
• First Baptist Church of Lowell Food Pantry, Lowell and Pleasant Crossing
• West Fork Elementary Backpack Program, West Fork
• Prairie Grove School Backpack Program, Prairie Grove
• Pea Ridge Ministerial Alliance, Pea Ridge
• Samaritan Community Center, Rogers
• The Genesis House, Siloam Springs, Gentry and Kansas
• Springdale Public Schools Health Services, Springdale
• NWA Food Bank, Arvest Bank Operations