Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – June 26, 2024– Arvest is pleased to announce the bank’s 14th annual Million Meals campaign raised $19,150 to help provide the equivalent of 67,025 meals to benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.
Each year, the Million Meals campaign raises money to feed local communities across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri while also raising awareness about food insecurity. Monetary donations collected during the two-month-long campaign were given directly to food partners to help stock pantries during the busy summer months.
On average, every dollar raised through the campaign provided up to five meals for families in our region. Bank-wide, the campaign provided more than 2.6 million meals by donating $524,451 to 85 food partners.
“We are very proud to once again see our community come together to support our neighbors in need,” said Kevin Hufstedler, community bank president for Arvest – Jonesboro. “Our fight against hunger isn’t just about filling empty stomachs but about nourishing communities and empowering individuals. We are very grateful to our customers, community members and associates for their continued support of such an important initiative.”
The Million Meals campaign takes place annually from April through May to help food partners meet the increased need during the summer months when many children don’t have the benefit of free meals at their schools. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas ranked 1st among the most food-insecure states in the nation based on average rates from 2020-2022.
Donations were collected at Arvest Bank branches, online, on the Arvest Go mobile app and by telephone. Since the hunger initiative began in 2011, the Million Meals campaign has provided more than 25 million meals and collected more than $4.6 million in donations. Last year, the campaign raised 2.29 million meals through monetary donations made directly to the bank’s local food partners.
