Arvest’s commitment to community helps families put food on the table
At Arvest Bank, #CommittedtoCommunity is literally written on the walls.
Community focus has been ingrained in the company since the beginning – when its founders realized that where there was a community-focused bank, there were thriving local businesses. Where there were thriving local businesses, there was a thriving community. At the heart of these observations is the idea that our community is at its best when neighbors support neighbors.
Arvest has been supporting its neighbors with hunger-relief initiatives for 15 years through their Million Meals campaign, which raises awareness and meals for hunger-relief organizations across the bank’s four-state footprint. The bank places a large focus on fighting hunger because food insecurity is prevalent in every community Arvest touches. Arvest associates take their commitment one step further by volunteering at Ozarks Food Harvest.
In early April, Arvest employees volunteered to help sort more than 7,500 pounds of fresh produce, which will provide 6,300 meals for our neighbors facing hunger.
As Chandler Johnston, Arvest’s community marketing manager, shared, “I think getting out and volunteering allows us to see the impact of the financial dollars that we’re contributing as an organization and make it that much more meaningful.”
For Chandler, Arvest’s involvement is meaningful because she personally knows the impact of a helping hand when times are tough. She was raised for many years by her single mother whose grocery budget didn’t always last the month. “I was very fortunate that I had relatives that stepped in and helped,” shared Chandler. “My mom was doing the best she could, and my grandma buying us groceries meant that my mom paid her light bill and our rent, or took us to the doctor. For me, it’s very personal.”
Arvest encourages its associates to be that helping hand in whatever cause is close to their heart. When service-oriented partners like Arvest give employees paid time off to volunteer for an organization of their choice, they multiply their impact in the communities where they live and work.
Volunteers are essential at Ozarks Food Harvest to get food into the hands of our neighbors facing hunger. We’re grateful for Arvest’s gifts of time, funds and advocacy in the movement to end hunger. If your business or organization would like to make a difference at Ozarks Food Harvest, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/how-to-help.