Montgomery County Food Pantry receives funding from Arvest Bank program

Food Pantry continues to provide food items to community on Mondays and Wednesdays

MOUNT IDA – Arvest Bank announced Monday, March 30, that The Montgomery County Food Bank located in Mount Ida will receive funding assistance through the bank’s annual Million Meals initiative.

Arvest Bank announced in a press release Monday that they were scheduled to launch their annual two-month Million Meals initiative to fight hunger in the four-state region the bank serves. Instead, the bank announced it will proactively provide one million meals in the fight against hunger.                                                                                        

This is the 10th year for Arvest’s Million Meals campaign. In that time they have raised a total of 17,068,971 meals, which includes more than $3 million in funds given directly to the bank’s dozens of local food partners.

The press release states that due to the effects of COVID-19, local food partners likely will see an increased need for the help Million Meals provides. Arvest encourages anyone who usually supports the Million Meals campaign through in-branch food contributions or fundraisers to donate directly to their local food bank or other appropriate organization if they are able.

“Million Meals is something we look forward to every year, but this year there’s a much more immediate need for food donations. By donating money to our food bank partners, we hope that this will give them what they need to feed people right now. This is the time for us to come together to support each other, and those who need help the most,” said Franklin Bass, community bank president of Arvest bank in southwest Arkansas.  

The bank’s decision to provide one million meals was based on the fact hunger is an issue in every community it serves. In 2018, 11.1 percent of American households were food-insecure, meaning they had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources.

Pat Smith awaits the next visitor to the Montgomery County Food Pantry located in the County Annex. She is one of many volunteers working to provide food for those in need. – Photo by Dewayne Holloway

The Montgomery County Food Bank continues to serve the community in this difficult time. The food pantry is open Monday and Wednesday mornings. 

The closure of the Montgomery County Annex has precipitated a change in the distribution of food. The food will be prebagged and in shopping carts. Food recipients will pull up to the door. You are asked to remain in your cars until the volunteer walks a safe distance from the buggy. You will load your groceries in your car and then push the buggy back to the door. The buggy handles will be sanitized after each use.

For questions concerning the food pantry please call (870) 867-7168. The food pantry is located in the Montgomery County Annex Building located at 117 Ray Drive in Mount Ida.

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