Arvest Bank announced on Thursday the start of its 15th annual Million Meals campaign, a two-month initiative to raise awareness and money to help fight hunger in its four-state footprint of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.
Money collected during the campaign, which runs through May 31, will benefit more than 80 food partners, including the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. Every dollar raised through the Million Meals initiative goes directly to the bank’s food partners, which can help provide up to five meals for someone in need.
“For 15 years, the Million Meals campaign has helped provide critical support to individuals and families who struggle to put food on their table,” said Kevin Hufstedler, Community Bank President- Jonesboro. “We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish when we come together as a community to help make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. We look forward to continuing that journey together, as it will take all of us to help end hunger.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas ranked first in the nation for food insecurity based on average rates from 2021-2023. More than 7.2 million children in the U.S. lived in food-insecure households where both children and adults experienced food insecurity. The timing of the Million Meals campaign will help food partners meet the expected increase in need during the summer months when many children don’t have the benefit of free meals at their schools.
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