Arvest shifts Million Meals campaign

Arvest Bank is donating the monetary value of 1 million meals to its local food partners across its four-state region in place of its annual Million Meals campaign.

Arvest Bank officials said in a news release that the shift from its annual, two-month campaign is a response to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on local food banks, which likely will experience an increased need in meal donations over the coming months.

Kristin Mock, marketing manager for Arvest, said via email the bank is donating $200,000 to reach the 1 million meals goal. She said participating food banks can usually turn $1 into five meals. In Springfield, the bank is donating roughly $4,100 to Ozarks Food Harvest and $8,400 to multiple food banks across the region, Mock said.

“‘People Helping People’ has been part of Arvest’s mission for more than 20 years. That’s why we have decided to provide 1 million meals – in the form of direct monetary donations – to our 80-plus food partners as quickly as possible,” said Kyle Hubbard, president of Arvest Bank in Springfield, in the release. “We are providing this funding assistance because we believe our food partners need it now.”

Officials of the Lowell, Arkansas-based banking company said in the release that people who typically support the Million Meals campaign are recommended to continue donating to their local food banks.

Arvest Bank has raised more than 17 million meals and $3 million in the 10 years of the campaign across its four-state region, comprising Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas, according to the release.