Arvest Bank Kicks Off 15th Year of Million Meals Campaign

Initiative to benefit 11 area organizations.

JOPLIN, Mo. (April 3, 2025) – Arvest Bank today announced 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 Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Every dollar collected during the campaign, which runs through May 31, goes directly to the bank’s more than 80 food partners, including 11 in the Joplin region:

• Joplin Bright Futures

• The Salvation Army in Pittsburg

• Miami First United Methodist Church

• Carthage Bright Futures

• Good Samaritan Shop in Lamar

• Lockwood Ministerial Alliance

• Monett Community Kitchen

• Newton County Food Basket Brigade

• Nevada Community Outreach

• Webb City Cares

• Carl Junction Bright Futures

“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 Rebecca Dunham, sales manager for Arvest Bank – Joplin Region. “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, Missouri ranked 16th 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. In many parts of the region, just one dollar can help provide up to five meals for someone in need.

Since the initiative began in 2011, the Million Meals campaign has helped provide more than 25 million meals through its food partners and collected more than $4.6 million in monetary donations. Last year, the campaign raised $524,451 to help provide more than 2.6 million meals through local food partners.

To celebrate the 15th year of Million Meals this year, the bank has announced a goal to increase donations by 15% over last year’s totals.

“We haven’t had a goal like this since we launched Million Meals, but we believe it’s an important one to have,” said Dunham. “If we achieve it, that’s 15% more meals and 15% more support for families, children and seniors facing food insecurity.”

How to Donate

Monetary donations can be made through May 31 in the following ways:

• Donate at a branch. Cash and check contributions will be accepted at Arvest Bank branches. Ask any Arvest associate for details.

• Donate online. Visit arvest.com/millionmeals to donate online.

• Donate using Arvest Go mobile app. Arvest customers can donate directly through the bank’s mobile app.

• Donate via phone. Customers can make a $1 (or more) donation by calling (866) 952-9523. Funds will be drawn directly from their Arvest account.

For more information about Million Meals and local food partners, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.