This week, Arvest Bank kicked off a two-month, bank-wide effort to provide at least 1 million meals to local, hungry families.  The initiative takes place from Sept. 4 through Nov. 2, and culminates just before Thanksgiving when donations are presented to 53 recipient organizations who feed the hungry in their communities. 

It challenges bank associates, customers and communities to participate in fundraising efforts and nonperishable food drives to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves.  The timing of the initiative is critical as one in six American households reported food hardship, or not having adequate funds to provide enough food for their family, in 2012.

Central Arkansas residents can help by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any local Arvest branch, or by calling (866) 952-9523 to contribute. In addition, every Arvest branch is selling 1 Million Meals paper plates for $1 throughout the two months. 

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

Last year, the Foodbank distributed 16.3 million pounds of food to their approximately 300 member agencies in central and southern Arkansas. More than 250,000 people within the Arkansas Foodbank's 33-county area don't have a steady source of food; nearly 90,000 of them are children. 

For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals and check out the video below.