http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/arvest-bank-raises-money-fight-hunger_15344.mp3
Arvest Bank is one private company trying to do more than just turn a profit. It’s fighting hunger through its one-million meals campaign. KSMU’s Scott Butler reports.
I’m in north Springfield, right outside Ozarks Food Harvest where Springfield and Joplin Arvest Bank branches presented a check to Ozarks Food Harvest. The check, from their “1 Million Meals” campaign, was $7,446.43.
(People Clapping)As people applaud, the check for almost $7,500 is handed to Bart Brown, the President and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest, the largest food bank in southwest Missouri.
“Oh, we are so grateful for our partnership with Arvest Bank and this Million Meals campaign. Its partnerships like this that allows us to do what we do on a daily basis, which is provide 300 non-profits with food and funds to be able to solve the hunger problem in the Ozarks,” Brown said.
In addition to that check, Arvest Bank presented a separate check to Christian Action Ministries for the Branson area for nearly $1,700. Rodney Shepard, President of Arvest Bank in Springfield, is really excited about this special day.
“Definitely excited! It’s just awesome to see folks come together to give some of the basic needs that people have. [With] All the other things going on in the world today, [its nice] that citizens will rally around the basic needs of our fellow citizens. So I’m extremely happy we were able to do this,” Shepard said.
In its 28th year of business, Ozarks Food Harvest serves more than 300 hunger relief organizations across 28 counties while reaching 20,000 individuals. Brown and Shepard both say that Arvest Bank and the food bank plan to continue their partnership.
For KSMU News, I’m Scott Butler.