Allen Elementary Coin Drive assists Arvest Hunger Campaign

Arvest Bank Siloam Springs recently held a "Strike Out Hunger" coin drive as part of the bank's company-wide 1 Million Meals initiative, and Allen Elementary School proved itself to be a most valuable partner.

Arvest's Junior Executive Bank Board, a club for juniors and seniors at Siloam Springs High School, kicked off the food drive with a fun assembly, and over the next 10 days, Allen Elementary School students raised $1,336.48. This effort greatly helped Arvest reach its halfway point (514,523 meals) during the week of April 23. Now the bank is focused on achieving its goal of raising one million meals to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves throughout its four-state footprint.

"We were blown away at the amount of coins these kids collected in less than two weeks," said Lindsey Taylor, marketing manager for Arvest Bank Siloam Springs. "They went above and beyond any expectation we had, and the funds will go to make a great impact in our community. We are so proud of the students at Allen Elementary and we are excited to give this donation to the Genesis House."

As a result of the success of the food drive, the winning team got to celebrate with a Popsicle party. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals mascot, Strike, visited Allen Elementary School to take pictures and hand out prizes. The winning team included second-grade classes taught by Chelsea Chandler, Heather Woodruff, Jessica Aldridge, Sydney Scott, Amanda Ward and Aaron Kooistra. Student Audrina Volpe was chosen to throw out the first pitch at an NWA Naturals game in June and Kabren Massengale will get to be the bat boy at the same game.

Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring for the third consecutive year due to the fact 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. According to the Food Research and Action Center, only one out of seven children who ate a free or reduced-price school lunch during the 2015-2016 school year were reached by the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2016. Additionally, Arkansas ranks fifth among the most food-insecure states in the nation, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Arvest Bank kicked off the two-month, bank-wide effort today to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families today, and it will continue through June 1. The initiative will conclude later that month, when donations are presented to 72 local organizations that feed the hungry in their communities.

Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs has partnered with The Genesis House for the duration of the initiative. All donations received will go to provide meals to local, hungry families. Siloam Springs residents can participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any Arvest branch or by calling 866-952-9523. Arvest credit card customers also can donate Arvest Flex Rewards points by visiting arvestflexrewards.com and clicking on the 1 Million Meals banner. New this year, Arvest customers are now able to donate to 1 Million Meals through the Arvest Go App. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.

Each of Arvest Bank's 72 recipient organizations was selected on a local basis. For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.