Put your business front and center by sponsoring a Chamber event, annual program, or digital media.
New network building events in 2022 include the Battle of the Business Bowling Tournament and the Local Lunch for restaurants. BE PRO BE PROUD and Connecting Educators in Industry are focused on building the workforce pipeline for our community. Also new this year are two annual program sponsorships, the Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Chamber Ambassadors, both focused on advocacy for a strong, business friendly climate in our community, county, and state.
Or promote your business utilizing the Chamber website, which received more than 145,000 visits in 2021. And don't forget the long running favorites; the Annual Meeting & Business Expo, the Golf Classic, Business After Hours, and the Arkansas Scholars Award Ceremony.
Put your business front and center by sponsoring a Chamber event, annual program, or digital media.
New network building events in 2022 include the Battle of the Business Bowling Tournament and the Local Lunch for restaurants. BE PRO BE PROUD and Connecting Educators in Industry are focused on building the workforce pipeline for our community. Also new this year are two annual program sponsorships, the Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Chamber Ambassadors, both focused on advocacy for a strong, business friendly climate in our community, county, and state.
Or promote your business utilizing the Chamber website, which received more than 145,000 visits in 2021. And don't forget the long running favorites; the Annual Meeting & Business Expo, the Golf Classic, Business After Hours, and the Arkansas Scholars Award Ceremony.
FORT SMITH, Ark. (April 1, 2024) – Arvest Bank today announced the kickoff of its 14th annual Million Meals campaign, a two-month long initiative to raise money to feed local communities while also raising awareness about food insecurity.
The campaign, which runs through May 31, will benefit 85 community food partners in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. This year, Community Services Clearinghouse, United Way of Fort Smith Area and Antioch for Youth and Family were selected as food partners and recipients of the campaign.
Every dollar raised through the Million Meals initiative provides up to five meals for local, hungry families. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas ranked first among the most food-insecure states in the nation based on average rates from 2020-2022.
“The Million Meals campaign isn’t just about fighting hunger, it’s about nurturing the strength of our neighborhoods and ensuring that every person has the chance to thrive,” said Mike Jacimore, President Arvest Bank. “We’re excited to come together once again as a community to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Every dollar donated provides an opportunity to change a life and create a better future for all.”
More than 17% of U.S. households with children under age 18 experienced food insecurity in 2022, according to the USDA. The timing of the Million Meals campaign coincides with an expected increased need during the summer months when many children don’t have the benefit of free meals at their schools.
Last year, the Million Meals campaign raised more than 2.29 million meals through monetary donations made directly to the bank’s local food partners. Since the campaign began in 2011, more than 22.9 million meals have been donated through more than $4.1 million collected.
How to Donate
Money donations can be made through May 31 in the following ways: