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Arvest Banks in Springfield, Nixa donate 20,000 meals

Arvest Banks in Springfield, Nixa donate 20,000 meals

June 6, 2016 in Cause marketing Donation drive Food drive Major giving

Two months ago, Arvest Bank launched its annual 1 Million Meals initiative to fight hunger in the four-state region the bank serves. The bank announced today that, with the help of customers and community members, it has exceeded the campaign goal by raising a total of 1,712,601 meals in the fight against hunger.

Launched in 2011, Arvest’s 1 Million Meals campaigns have raised a six-year total of 9,604,185 meals, which includes more than $1.6 million in funds given directly to the bank’s more than 60 local food partners.

This year’s campaign total of 1,712,601 meals was made possible through donations from the bank, Arvest associates, customers and community members through fundraisers, events and nonperishable food drives in all Arvest branches throughout April and May. With summer here, the success of the campaign is especially meaningful because many schoolchildren will be without the meals they ordinarily receive at school.

“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our associates, customers and members of our community, we’re excited to provide many meals to our neighbors in need,” said Brad Crain, president and chief executive officer of Arvest Bank in Springfield, and member of Ozarks Food Harvest’s Board of Directors. “We hope 1 Million Meals has increased hunger awareness in southern Missouri, and will continue to fight hunger in our community long after this year’s initiative has ended. I am proud of – and humbled by – our success with this year’s campaign. We all look forward to continuing to give back to our community.”

In Springfield and Nixa, Arvest partnered with Ozarks Food Harvest for the campaign. The organization received all local donations, and this year 20,502 total meals were provided in Springfield and Nixa. All money and food items raised through this campaign directly benefited 66 different organizations feeding local communities in four states – Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

“The more than 20,000 meals collected during this year’s drive will make such an impact on the one in four people in the Ozarks who access food assistance from our network of pantries and feeding sites,” said Bart Brown, president and chief executive officer of Ozarks Food Harvest. “Arvest’s donation and continued support of our work is making a tremendous impact on ending hunger in our community. We want to extend a special thanks to all the Arvest associates who promoted the drive, and all the people who bank with Arvest who gave so generously.”