Fighting Poverty. Ending Hunger.

If you are hungry, we will help.

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Food insecurity is real.

Nearly 8% of Dane County residents are struggling with food insecurity. The pandemic was hard on families. Inflation is stretching budgets and making it difficult to cover unexpected expenses. In 2023, BPNN provided food assistance to 81,000 individuals making up a significant part of Dane County’s food gap. Those most affected are children, seniors, the disabled, and people of color. In over 70% of households we serve, at least one adult is working. Many have two jobs. Odds are you know someone who needs help.

We are here to help.

Badger Prairie Needs Network has been serving the community since 1986. We operate one of Dane County’s three busiest food pantries and are entirely led and run by volunteers.

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We offer a grocery-style pantry where guests can make their own selections based on what their family can use. We take pride in making sure our guests have access to fresh dairy, produce and meat.

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Get Involved

All we do is accomplished through the generosity of the community. As a 100% volunteer organization, we rely on this support whether it’s volunteers, donations, fundraisers or food drives.

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Volunteers chopping food in a commercial kitchen

We are more than just a food pantry.

By addressing poverty, we can end hunger. We offer a Saturday community meal, legal advocacy, career development opportunities, nutrition education and on-site social workers from Joining Forces for Families.

Kasieta Center

The Kasieta Center is our 4,800 sq. ft. event space providing opportunities for job training, career fairs and community gatherings. Two Saturdays a month, the center is a welcoming location for our Community Meal.

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Prairie Kitchen

The Prairie Kitchen is our shared multi-purpose commercial kitchen serving hot lunches for 200 people and repackaging food that would otherwise go to the landfill. It’s a space for nutrition classes and an incubator for food-based businesses.

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Here’s what people are saying

Thank you Badger Prairie Needs Network! I am humbled and grateful for the food we received. I feared that a food pantry would handout only processed, packaged foods. I don’t have words to describe what it felt like to receive whole milk, fresh fruits and vegetables.

~ Food Pantry Guest
It’s been humbling and amazing. Such a need for services especially with the cost of things going up. People shouldn’t have to choose between whether you are going to eat or put gas in your car to get to work.

~ Wendy, Volunteer
BPNN will serve more than 37,000 neighbors in 2022 – a record! Never has the need been greater. Never have their resources been so tested. Never has there been such great opportunity for us to help.

~ Kate C., Supporter
This is one of my favorite groups to support. They provide so much more than just food assistance!

~ Rachael L., Supporter

We are making a difference

81,000

People Served in 2023

2 Million

Pounds of Food Distributed

250 TONS

of Food Diverted
from Landfill

100%

Volunteer

24%

of Dane County
Meal Gap Filled

NEWS ALERT: BPNN just received a state grant that is the final piece of funding needed to break ground on a new warehouse that will add 12,000 sq. ft. to our facility. The expansion will provide critically needed dock and warehouse space for BPNN’s food pantry and room for the organization to better administer current and future programs. We anticipate construction will begin by the end of the year.
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Watch WKOW-27's coverage of the story⟶

Canned Tuna, Salmon, and Chicken
Canned or Dried beans such as Black, Pinto, Kidney
Canned Fruit
Hamburger or Tuna Helper
Snack or Breakfast Bars
Sugar (3-4 lb bags)
Flour (4-5 lb bags)
Paper grocery bags

Most Needed Items

Donations of personal care items such as baby wipes, dental care, bar soap and feminine hygiene products can be directly shipped to us through our Amazon Wish List.