Calendar of Events:
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BUILDING EXPANSION: Ribbon Cutting, 2PM Friday, Dec 14; Public Open House 2-4PM Saturday, Dec 15.
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Work on additions to the food pantry and the Prairie Kitchen will be completed in early December. With the expansion will come new opportunities for BPNN to have a greater impact on ending hunger in southern Wisconsin.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 2PM on Friday, December 14 followed by a public open house on Saturday, December 15 from 2-4PM. The 576 sq ft warehouse will allow BPNN to stock greater inventory of food products to serve an increasing number of households using the BPNN food pantry. This increase is somewhat related to BPNN's service area expansion in Januray 2018. An analysis of food insecurity among households located outside the existing service area but in the 53593 Zipcode suggested that up to 18% of these rural household could benefit from food pantry access. Up to 400 new households from this area are expected to use the pantry in 2019. |
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The expanded coolers at the back of the building will service the Kitchen to Table Food Recovery Network that will launch in late December. The initiative will pool resources from participating organizations to recovery surplus prepared food from large food services operations and repackage and distribute the food to pantries throughout southern Wisconsin. Network partners include BPNN, the Community Action Coalition, Second Harvest, Feeding Wisconsin, and Dane County. Donor organizations include Epic, UW Hospital, and CUNA Mutual/Eurest.
Funds to complete the expansion came from the proceeds of the Green Bay Packer Tailgate Tour in April, grants, foudnation gifts, and individual donations. |
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New Study: Almost 1M Wisconsin Households Can't Make Ends Meet
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42% of Wisconsin households can’t afford the basics of housing, food, health care, child care, and transportation, despite working. 65% of all jobs in Wisconsin pay less than $20 an hour and most pay less than $15 an hour. The jobs forecast shows low-paying jobs dominating the economy into the future. Learn More at United Way Wisconsin ALICE
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Mending Days: 1st Saturday of each month
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Sugar River United Methodist Church sponsors a Mending Day at Badger Prairie Needs Network on the 1st Saturday of each month.
This FREE service is on a first come, first served basis when the food pantry is open. Repairs may include hems, buttons, a ripped seam, tear or hole to mend, straps or belt loops (no zippers please). There is a 30 minute limit per person and some items may be declined due to complexity or condition of item. If you have questions or want more information, contact 608-279-7596. Time to pull out your winter wear and see what needs a bit of TLC. |