Arvest Million Meals raises $29K for local food pantries

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) - Arvest Bank's 14th annual Million Meals campaign has raised over $29,000, benefiting 11 regional food pantries and providing up to 145,000 meals to those in need.

The campaign, which combats food insecurity across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, collected donations from April through May. Each dollar raised can provide up to five meals. This year, the bank-wide campaign raised a total of $524,451, equating to over 2.6 million meals.

Local food partners that received donations include:

• Joplin Bright Futures
• Carthage Bright Futures
• Newton County Food Basket Brigade
• Good Samaritan Shop in Lamar
• Nevada Community Outreach Backpacks of Love Program
• Lockwood Ministerial Alliance in Dade County
• Carl Junction Bright Futures
• Webb City Cares
• Monett Community Kitchen
• Miami First United Methodist Church
• Lord's Diner in Pittsburg, Kansas

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Missouri ranked 10th and Oklahoma 6th among the most food-insecure states in the nation based on average rates from 2020-2022.

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