Week-Long Celebration and Contests Kick Off Monday, August 24th

DAVENPORT - In celebration of the completion of the new state-of-the-art Ascentra Credit Union branch at 1800 Brady Street in Davenport, the community is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m.

Work began on the 3,400 square ft. structure in October 2014 and features a unique, modern design that has beautified the landscape and enhanced pedestrian access to the corner in the Hilltop Campus Village.

This brand new location will replace the nearby branch Ascentra merged with in 2013 and is located within walking distance from St. Ambrose University and Palmer College of Chiropractic.  The branch will provide much needed access to financial services for students and area residents such as Co-op Shared Branching - which allows credit union members to establish membership and use a nationwide network of over 5,000 credit union branches to conduct business as if they were at Ascentra.

"We're very excited to relocate our office to this new full service branch at a much more visible location," Ascentra Credit Union President & CEO Dale Owen says. "We look forward to further economic development in the Hilltop and playing a major role in further revitalization of the area.  We've been very pleased to work with the city staff, Mayor, City Council, the Design Review Board and the Hilltop Campus Village to help bring this project to completion."

The ribbon cutting will kick off a week-long celebration that allows people to stop by and register for a chance to win a 40" HDTV, a Go-Pro camera, Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, and a Fitbit workout band. A special social media Pay it Forward: Cash Stash will allow people to win cash by following clues on Ascentra's Facebook and Twitter pages.

About us:

Founded in 1950, Ascentra Credit Union, is Iowa's premier credit union with more than $340 million in assets and 10 branches serving the communities of Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, LeClaire, Muscatine, Iowa and Moline, Ill. Learn more about Ascentra Credit Union at ascentra.org. Follow Ascentra on Facebook and on Twitter @ascentra.

New position will focus on rescue and distribution of more food from retailers

Davenport, IA (August 11, 2015) - River Bend Foodbank announced a $55,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to fund a new position, retail store donation coordinator, for the specific purpose of working with local and national retailers to secure more donated food.

The need for this position stems from the understanding that retail store donations are a critical component in being able to serve more people struggling with hunger. A staff person dedicated to working with retailers, both small and large, to rescue and distribute food that might otherwise go to waste will not only help build the capacity of the River Bend Foodbank but, ultimately, help better meet the ongoing local need. Bob Evans has been hired as River Bend Foodbank's retail store donation coordinator. Bob has 13 years' experience in food banking, having been a driver making retail pickups and as the manager of agency relations.

"We are thrilled that the Walmart Foundation has funded this new staff position and understands the value of food banks working hand-in-hand with local retailers to fight hunger," said Mike Miller, River Bend Foodbank Executive Director. "As a member of the Feeding America network, we have seen how securing retail store donations is a key driver to increasing our ability to secure more food for more people. With this grant, we'll be able to develop stronger relationships with our local retailers and do more for the people struggling with hunger in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois."

River Bend Foodbank is one of 15 Feeding America member food banks across the country this year to be awarded a grant for a retail store donation coordinator. The grant is designed to support the first year salary and benefits costs for the staff position.

While the position is funded through a Walmart Foundation grant, the new retail store coordinator will work with all retailers in the area in an effort to secure more food for the River Bend Foodbank. The coordinator also will help educate store personnel on the appropriate guidelines for donations through the food bank's retail donation program.

The funding for the position comes at a time of particular need, as food insecurity remains high throughout the country. According to the USDA, approximately 49 million people - including 16 million children - in the United States struggle with hunger. Here in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, 131,900 local residents are food insecure.

Through their longstanding commitment to fighting hunger, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation provide donations of both funds and food to Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have set goals to provide four billion meals to those in need in the U.S. through 2020. River Bend Foodbank is one of Feeding America's 200 member food banks across the country and currently receives product donations from local Walmart stores. To learn more about the Walmart Foundation's commitment to fight hunger visit foundation.walmart.com.

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB 1304 today to create the Police and Community Improvement Act.

"Today we are taking steps to strengthen the relationship between our law enforcement officers and the public they protect with the Police and Community Improvement Act," Governor Rauner said. "As a society, we must ensure the safety of both the public and law enforcement. SB 1304 establishes new and important guidelines and training for police departments and their officers, while protecting the public by prohibiting officers from using excessive force.  I thank the legislators who sponsored this bill. It will have a lasting and positive impact on the people of Illinois."

Additional Background: Illinois is the first state in the country to pass comprehensive legislation that include procedures for police departments that utilize body cameras; establish reporting requirements for officers who make stops or arrests; crisis intervention and racial sensitivity training; and prohibits excessive force like choke holds.

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