Badger Prairie Needs Network Breaks Ground on New Building Addition
VERONA, WI – Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a 12,000-square-foot addition to its facility in Verona. This marks the third major project Ideal Builders has undertaken with BPNN, one of the busiest food pantries in Dane County.
This “Last Build” expansion will double the food pantry’s warehouse capacity and provide additional space to accommodate current and future programs. The new facility is expected to open in June 2025.
“We’ve built a great partnership with BPNN over the years, and we’re honored to be part of this latest addition that will help position BPNN to further serve the community,” said Jason Bollig, president and CEO, Ideal Builders.
Community leaders and supporters, including Governor Tony Evers, Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, and Representative Mike Bare, joined the event alongside volunteers to kick off the project.
“With incredible support from Representative Pocan, Governor Evers, Representative Bare, County Executive Agard, Mayor Diaz, and so many others, BPNN is poised to expand,” said BPNN President Bob Kasieta. “This community has never shirked its commitment to our neighbors in need, and BPNN will never falter in delivering services. Thank you to everyone who helps the cause of doing good.”
Project highlights
- Double capacity to distribute up to 4 million pounds of food annually, compared to the current capacity of 500,000 pounds
- Enhance the variety and quantity of non-perishable foods and produce by expanding cold storage
- Provide greater privacy for on-site social workers to meet with clients in crisis
- Create opportunities for additional services, including health screenings, vaccine clinics, financial education, and housing support
- Add a loading dock and designated space for sorting and inspecting incoming food products
- Improve productivity for the all-volunteer leadership team by adding private meeting rooms and collaborative spaces
Funding & support
- Grants from the state of Wisconsin, a Congressionally directed award from Congressman Mark Pocan, and support from Dane County
- Foundation contributions from Alliant Energy Foundation, Evjue Foundation, Madison Community Foundation, Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, Roots & Wings Foundation, and Sub-Zero Group Corporation Foundation
- Private gifts from Compeer Financial and individual donors
About Badger Prairie Needs Network
BPNN is a 100% volunteer-led and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided essential services to struggling families in the community for nearly 40 years. Its food pantry serves more than 500 families each week and reached over 90,000 individuals in 2024. One in three guests visiting the pantry is a child. Since 2019, demand for its services has increased fivefold.
Published on Nov 22 2024
Categories: News