Arvest Bank, Fort Smith and River Valley Region, will partner with Community Services Clearinghouse, River Valley Regional Food Bank and United Way of Fort Smith Area for the 1 Million Meals initiative, a two-month, bank-wide effort to provide one million meals or more to those in need.
Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring for the third consecutive year due to the fact that food banks report an increased need for food items in the summer, when many children do not have the benefit of eating meals at the schools they attend. Donations also tend to be lower in the spring and summer than at other times of the year.
These organizations will receive nonperishable food and monetary donations made at Arvest Bank branches in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood and Mena, Arkansas and Sallisaw and Poteau Oklahoma from April 2 through June 2.
The Meals For Kids program serves identified students in 83 schools in the area with nutritious snacks for the weekend. Community Services Clearinghouse also partners with the Fort Smith, Ark., schools to provide bags in the summer. The program provides nearly 90,000 bags of food per year.
To learn more about Community Services Clearinghouse, River Valley Regional Food Bank, and United Way Fort Smith Area
Visit Community Services Clearinghouse online or on Facebook
Visit the River Valley Regional Food Bank online or on Facebook