Modern Woodmen sets the tone for corporate involvement, feeds thousands

Modern Woodmen of America's four-month long campaign to support River Bend Foodbank is the food distribution center's largest corporate volunteer campaign to date. River Bend Foodbank made the announcement after the completion of the campaign during Modern Woodmen's Race to Knock Out Hunger on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization based in Rock Island, Ill., kicked off the Knock Out Hunger campaign in June. Campaign efforts included:

·         A home office food drive.

·         A home office farmers' market.

·         A 'Pack the Truck' event at Modern Woodmen Park.

·         Sponsorship of three mobile food pantries.

·         Sponsorship of 14 after-school backpack programs for local children.

·         A massive meal-packing project, where Modern Woodmen employees packaged 50,000 meals for hungry families in just one day.

·         Quad City community 5K.

Beyond sponsorship of the volunteer projects, Modern Woodmen collected more than 2,500 pounds of food and donated $15,609.49 to River Bend Foodbank. Modern Woodmen employees also spent more than 965 hours volunteering during the Knock Out Hunger campaign.

One of the most impactful projects was Modern Woodmen's sponsorship of three mobile food pantries. "One Mobile Food Pantry distribution costs approximately $1,500 to $2,000 to hold, but that's just operational expenses. That number doesn't cover the cost of food, which has a retail value of $10,000 to $15,000," said River Bend Foodbank marketing director Caren Laughlin. "With Modern Woodmen's help, thousands of families were fed this summer through the mobile food pantry programs."

River Bend Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organization in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, distributing more than 8 million pounds of food annually to feed the hungry. The Foodbank serves more than 10,000 individuals every week through its distribution network of 300 charitable feeding programs in a 22-county service area in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal financial services organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS, September 22, 2014: Brighten your day with solar! View renewable energy systems in action. The Illinois Solar Tour is a FREE self-guided, statewide open house that demonstrates how Illinois homes and businesses are using solar, wind, and geothermal to become energy independent.

This event is coordinated nationally by the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society in collaboration with dozens of outstanding partner organizations. Attending the tour will allow communities across the country the opportunity to see new and innovative technologies locally that will benefit the environment on a global level. Americans have a voice in how they get their energy. Visiting homes on the tour will allow visitors to learn, engage and be a part of the solution to current energy challenges.

Illinois home and business owners with renewable energy installations will be providing tours on Saturday, October 4th from 10 am to 2 pm. Tour hosts will answer questions on how you can harness the power of the sun and wind to fuel your home and business.

There is a host site to visit in the Quad Cities!

The Prybil residence (3507 32nd St., Moline) is recognized as a clean energy leader and has been selected to be part of the 2014 Illinois Solar Tour. Stop by to see their self-installed photovoltaic system and learn how you can reduce your monthly utility bills, increase property values, and be part of the energy solution.

With 50 sites throughout Illinois, there is a Solar Tour host site near you. Stop in to see how solar energy can brighten your day!

To register for these free events visit www.illinoissolartour.org.

About the Illinois Solar Energy Association

Established in 1975 The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the widespread application of renewable energy through education and advocacy. As the Illinois chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, ISEA is the local resource for educational classes, events, renewable energy related policy developments, local news and access to local renewable energy vendors. www.illinoissolar.org

About the American Solar Energy Society

For more than 50 years the American Solar Energy Society has led the renewable energy revolution. It is the nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies across North America. ASES leads national efforts to promote solar energy education, public outreach, and advocacy. www.ases.org

National Solar Tour Link

 http://www.ases.org/solar-tour/

Congress does it again.  They took a 5 week recess in August to campaign, went back to DC September 8th.  Now another recess days later to campaign. What is wrong with Congress?  The ISIS threat is on the table, our President needs backing on this explosive situation,  There are Congressional Bills requiring attention, where is Congress, on vacation to campaign.

Is Congress thinking about the threat of another war?  Are they thinking about the thousands of our veterans who need help?  Is the VA scandal settled?  No to these issues and many others.

If we have another war and troops are once again boots on ground, more of our men and women in uniform will die, more will come home broken.  Bills that need attention to help our veterans are being sat on, for example an
important House Bill HR-543 the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act is stalled in committee.   What sound advice is Congress giving the President of the terrorist group ISIS?

All Congress is doing is thinking of  themselves for the November election.  What about our veterans, are they not worth concern and the American people's concerns, do we all not have a say so?  It is shameful!

Stand up America and be counted, voice your opinion.  Let Congress know what you think is best.

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