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Arvest announced that the bank’s 15th annual Million Meals campaign raised $17,086 locally to benefit Mary Martha Outreach.

The Million Meals campaign, which runs from April to May each year, raises awareness and money to fight hunger in the bank’s four-state footprint. Money collected goes directly to the bank’s food partners to help them meet an increase in demand, especially during the summer months when many children don’t have the benefit of free or reduced lunches at school. In many parts of the region, one dollar can help provide up to five meals for someone in need. Every local dollar donated went directly to that local food partner.

Arvest associates Tanya Stokes, Whitney Doolin, Stevie Williams, and Alex Lingnau recently announced the donation during a check presentation to Misty Wishall, executive director of Mary Martha Outreach.

“We are very proud of the amount of money raised for the year's Million Meals campaign. The success of our campaign this year truly shows the compassion for and commitment to our community,” said Doolin, sales manager for Arvest Bank – Bartlesville Region. “Thank you to our associates who creatively fundraised, and for the generosity and support of our customers and community. These funds will help Mary Martha Outreach continue to combat hunger and provide essential support to those in need.”

The campaign raised more than $616,000 bankwide, which will help provide more than 3 million meals to more than 80 food partners throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

To celebrate the 15th year of Million Meals, the bank set a goal to increase bankwide donations by 15%, equating to more than 3 million meals. The campaign originally began with a goal of raising 1 million meals. Now in its 15th year, the bank has more than tripled its original annual campaign goal.

Last year, the Million Meals campaign raised 2.6 million meals for local food partners. Since 2011, the initiative has helped provide more than 28 million meals and collected more than $5.1 million in donations.