On Wednesday, Aug. 13, Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded warehouse during a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Governor Tony Evers, United States Representative Mark Pocan and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard joined BPNN volunteers, board members and supporters to commemorate the completion of the $4.6 million “Last Build” project, an expansion that doubles the capacity of BPNN’s current facility and paves the way for long-term growth.
While the ribbon cutting crowd gathered to celebrate the pantry’s future, the moment also carried reminders of its past. What is now one of Dane County’s busiest food pantries began in the smallest of spaces – a church closet – after one woman was asked to distribute government cheese.
Humble beginnings
It was a normal day at Salem United Church of Christ in 1986 when Debbie Bass was approached with an atypical question, “Would you be the cheese lady?”…