Arvest announced that the bank’s 15th annual Million Meals campaign has raised $616,100 to benefit more than 80 food partners in the bank’s footprint of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. With one dollar able to provide up to five meals for someone in need, the funds will help food partners distribute more than 3.08 million meals for hungry families and individuals.

Arvest announced the totals during an event on June 12, at the bank’s Fort Smith branch at 5000 Rogers Ave. As part of the campaign’s efforts, Fort Smith Arvest associates presented a total of $50,320 to six local food partners in the River Valley: Community Services Clearinghouse, United Way of Fort Smith Area, First Assembly of God Church in Mena, River Valley Food 4 Kids, Second Baptist Church in Clarksville and Antioch for Youth and Family in Fort Smith.

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 during the summer months, especially for families with children who don’t have the benefit of free or reduced lunches at school.

To celebrate the initiative’s 15th year, the bank set a goal to increase bankwide donations by 15%, equating to more than 3 million meals. The Million Meals 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 goal.