Badger Prairie Needs Network Has Grown From Closet to Warehouse

BPNN is a 100% volunteer-run organization.

In 1986, a group of individuals from the Church of Christ in Verona recognized a growing need for food assistance among their congregation. The first beginnings of a local food pantry started out of a small closet at the church. By 1994, the pantry had become so popular that a larger, grocery-store-style food pantry was established in the basement of the Verona Public Library.

Today, that pantry is known as Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) and has expanded to serve approximately 4,000 households and 12,000 unique individuals annually. “What I believe is the most remarkable thing about BPNN, is that it is entirely operated and led by volunteers. Everything we do is a love letter to our community and every penny contributed, goes to the mission and keeping the lights on,” commented Lisa Marshall, BPNN’s Communications Director.

In 2024 alone, BPNN distributed 2.2 million pounds of food – equivalent to the ingredients for 1.8 million meals. “Our current “mini-warehouse” was designed to accommodate up to 500,000 pounds of food, but by filling every nook and cranny in the building, we’ve managed to distribute over 2 million pounds this year,” Marshall explained.

But, BPNN isn’t stopping there. With the rising cost of living, BPNN has seen a drastic increase in food insecure households and individuals in need of its services. In response, this crucial distribution center in the local hunger relief network is building a 12,000 square foot, 2-story addition to its Verona facility. This addition in office, warehouse, and loading dock space will allow BPNN to double the amount of food it sources and distributes each year as well as streamline its operations to increase efficiency, enhancing the experience for both guests and volunteers.

BPNN operates a grocery-store-style food pantry.

MCF provided a $100,000 Community Impact grant in 2024 to support addition. “The $100,000 grant from Madison Community Foundation is an amazing gift. It put us over the top on our $4.5 million fundraising campaign. “The funds from MCF will be used to furnish the upper level that will serve as an open workspace for our 20-person volunteer leadership team and a training center for volunteers that will accommodate 830 people,” commented Marshall. The updated and expanded space is slated to open in August 2025.

Learn more about Badger Prairie Needs Network at www.bpnn.org