Arvest partners with Community Food Bank

Arvest Bank is partnering with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for the 1 Million Meals initiative, a two-month, bank-wide effort to provide one million meals or more to those in need.

The Food Bank will receive nonperishable food and monetary donations made to Arvest bank branches in Tulsa and surrounding communities from September 5 through November 3.

The CFBEOK distributes food and other grocery items to 450 Partner Programs in 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. Those programs collectively feed more than 70,000 people each week, the equivalent of 865,000 meals per month. In the fiscal year 2012, the Food Bank distributed nearly 15.5 million pounds of food.

"We are so happy to be chosen as a recipient of Arvest Bank's initiative in our area. The funds and meals raised as part of this campaign will go towards helping so many families in the Tulsa area, and just in time for the busy holiday season," said Regina Pickens, community events coordinator at the Food Bank.

Tulsa area people can support the food bank by dropping off nonperishable food items or purchasing a 1 Million Meals paper plate for $1 at any of the 36 Arvest branches in the Tulsa area during the initiative, or calling (866) 952-9523.

Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for local, hungry families.

Last year, Arvest banks, associates, customers and communities raised more than 1.2 million meals. This year's effort will benefit 44 different organizations feeding local communities in four states - Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.