Love in Times of Turmoil

Bob Kasieta, Board President

The Beatles proclaimed, “All you need is love.” We know that’s not literally true. But it sure is a good place to begin. My message to you this month is simple: thank you for the love you show BPNN and your neighbors.

We live in troubled times. The world is at hot and cold war in many places. Domestic politics is divisive. The gap between rich and poor widens. Inflation hits all but the richest among us. Winter looms with its icy breath that we feel in autumn evenings that make us shiver. Days grow darker. We are surrounded by cause for worry, even despair, if that is what we choose.

In the face of this reality, the wonderful volunteers of BPNN step up every day to do what we can to fight poverty in our community. You do it with a boundless optimism that inspires those around you. You do it as volunteers, receiving in return only the knowledge that you have made a difference. You do it because you love your neighbors, and you realize that those neighbors might be people you have not even met. But it doesn’t matter – they are your neighbors still.

You hale from our faith community, from our businesses, from government agencies, and from homes where people realize that true virtue is found in helping others. Yours is no small sacrifice. And we never take it for granted. Thank you for being who you are and thank you for caring.

Sad and difficult times teach us. They teach us about the world around us. They teach us about ourselves. And the measure of our commitment to goodness is how we respond to profound challenges. How is BPNN responding? We will respond with love. We continue plans to expand our building. The need increases. We must build again to accommodate that need. We will reach out to you, the community that has always cared, to continue to stand with your neighbors, by contributing to our cause with treasure and time. It is so important to volunteer to fill shifts at the food pantry. We need good, dependable volunteers now more than ever because we are serving more neighbors than ever.

The Beatles were not right that “All you need is love.” But you sure can’t do much good without it. Thank you for loving and caring for BPNN and for your neighbors.

If you would like to make a donation to Badger Prairie Needs Network’s capital campaign to help fund the building expansion, use the Donate button below and add “Building Project” in the comment section.

DONATE

Dane County Budget Includes Funds for Facility Expansion

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi's budget provides more than $11 million in support for local food pantries and the county emergency food supply network in his 2024 budget. Parisi’s budget includes $500,000 towards helping BPNN build much-needed additional warehouse space to accommodate the estimated 2 million pounds of food that will be distributed in 2024. Conceptual drawing will be shared in an upcoming newsletter. The budget also provides funding to continue the successful Farm to Foodbank program that links local farmers with food pantries to provide fresh food to families that struggle to put healthy meals on the table.

Skeleton Skamper 5K to Raise Funds for BPNN

We are the proud charity partner for the Halloween-themed Skeleton Skamper 5k walk/run on Saturday, Oct. 28! Participants are encouraged to wear costumes to run the bewitching trails of Verona, which will be judged by our own Marcia Kasieta. For every BPNN supporter that signs up to volunteer to help during the race, our organization receives a donation from RaceDay Events. Friends of BPNN interested in volunteering can sign up Skeleton Skamper Volunteer Registration. This is a good opportunity for volunteers that usually work the Community Meal or haven't been through BPNN's New Volunteer Orientation yet. Our top priority is to make sure that the pantry is staffed on Saturdays. To register to run or walk the race, visit www.skeletonskamper.com.

Thank You For Your Support

We thank the following organizations and groups for recent donations, grants and volunteer time.

Alliant Energy Foundation

Blackhawk Church

Boy Scout Troop 628

Dane County Department of Human Services

Edgewood High School

Epic Systems

New Morning Nursery School

Parisi Construction

Park Bank

Roots & Wings Foundation

Seminole Swim & Dive Team

S&L Hospitality

St. Christopher Parish

St. James Lutheran

Sugar River UMC

TDS Telecommunications

Verona Police Department & Festival Foods

"Go Orange Day" Raises Awareness About Food Insecurity

In case you missed the Sept. 15 Hunger Action Month's Go Orange Day, here are photos of volunteers having fun decked out in orange!

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Sponsor a Thanksgiving Meal

We look forward to providing families with ingredients for a delicious holiday dinner. Due to food inflation, the average cost of a Thanksgiving Dinner is on the rise! If you'd like to sponsor a household for Thanksgiving, consider making a donation of $65. Your donation allows us to buy ingredients in bulk so that we are fully stocked with the holiday ingredients everyone loves!

If you would like to sponsor a family's Thanksgiving dinner, use the Donate button and add “Holiday Meals” in the comment section.

Fall Food Drives Stock the Pantry for the Holidays

Help us stock the pantry in time for the holidays by organizing a Thanksgiving-themed food drive for your business or community group. Consider creating teams – work groups, school classes, or grades – for a friendly competition to encourage donations. Have your group “cast votes” with food items to pick anything from who will get a “pie in the face” to choosing the next team building outing activity or school field trip. Below is a list of popular holiday meal ingredients. Those unable to shop can donate $65 to cover the meal for a family of 8! Get More Food Drive Tips

Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution

We will be giving out turkeys and pies as a special offering beginning in early November, while they last. Distribution dates will be posted in the pantry and on social media. Other popular Thanksgiving meal ingredients will be available on pantry shelves for shoppers to select. We are grateful to the Alliant Energy Foundation for their recent grant that will go towards purchasing turkeys and hams for families over the holidays.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

Please note that the pantry will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Wednesday, Nov. 22 - Saturday, Nov. 25

Volunteer Suggestions Improve Operations

Based on recent volunteer suggestions, several policy and procedure changes are being implemented to address the increase in shoppers. Guest Services is taking steps to prevent early arriving guests as cold weather approaches. They will also limit how late shoppers can enter the pantry to make sure volunteers can leave at their scheduled time and allow for time to clean and restock the pantry. The pantry has moved limited items to a designated zone near the scale and created buddy zones so volunteers can pair up when possible.

Updated List of Most Needed Pantry Items

In addition to the Thanksgiving Most Needed List, we recently updated our list of the top "Most Needed Items" in the pantry. These staples are needed year-round and often difficult to source. A current list is always available on our homepage www.bpnn.org. Donations can be left at the volunteer entrance in back (Door #4) during open food pantry hours noted at the bottom of this email.

Canned Tuna, Salmon & Chicken

Dried Protein Beans such as Black, Pinto, & Kidney

Canned fruit

Hamburger & Tuna Helper

Sugar (3-5 lb bags)

Flour (3-5 lb bags)

Snack and Breakfast Bars

Paper Bags

Art Exhibit Features Quilts by Kristi Johnson

Kristi Johnson, a long-time BPNN volunteer and one of our mending ladies, graciously offered a series of her beautiful quilts for a fall-early winter installation. The quilts are available to view now through December. A few holiday quilts will be added to the exhibit around Thanksgiving. Stop in and check them out.

Developing an Effective Job Search Seminar

Career coach Frank Poggio is leading workshops to help job seekers find employment and advance in their careers. Register by emailing info@bpnn.org. More info will be posted soon. Workshops will be held in the Kasieta Center at Badger Prairie Needs Network.

How to Sell Yourself: From Resume to Interview

Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 6-8pm

The interview can get you the job, but how do you get the interview? And how

do you write an effective resume and cover letter that will help land the initial

phone screen? In this workshop, learn how to address tough questions during

the interview and communicate and ‘sell’ your value.

The Gig Economy: Risks & Rewards

Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 6-8pm

This workshop is aimed at the growing gig economy. Freelance or contract jobs come with rewards but also risks. Assess whether this work is a good fit with a checklist on how to choose the right “gigs” and how to protect yourself from firms that may not have your best interest.

Community Meal Fall Schedule

Saturdays from 11:30am-12:45pm on the following dates:

Oct 21, Nov. 4 & 18, Dec. 2 & 16

All welcome, no registration required! Watch BPNN's Facebook and Instragram pages for the week's menu.

New Volunteer Orientation

Thursdays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9 16 & 30 from 1:30-3pm

Saturdays, Oct 28, Nov. 11 from 9-10:30am

Volunteers are required to attend a 90-minute orientation, which includes an overview of the organization and volunteer jobs, instructions to sign-up for shifts, and a tour of the building. Registration is required.

Winter Farmers Market

Sunday, Nov. 5 - Live Music Provided by Twila Jean

Sunday, Nov. 19 - Live Music Provided by Chente Medina

The Verona Downtown Farmer's Market moves indoors to the Kasieta Center this fall. The event features market vendors, live music, and food truck. See their website for more details.

ChopChop Family Cooking Club

Sunday, Nov. 12 - Triple Green Pasta

Sunday, Dec. 10 - Baked Apples & Chai (In Spanish)

This Sunday afternoon cooking and nutrition class is geared towards kids 6 and up and each week features a different recipe. Classes are from 1-2:00 pm in the Prairie Kitchen. Information and registration online here: https://www.bpnn.org/cooking-classes

SAVE THE DATE: Holiday Volunteer Open House

Sunday, Dec. 3 from 4 - 6pm

Canned Tuna, Salmon & Chicken

Dried Protein Beans such as Black, Pinto, & Kidney

Canned fruit

Hamburger & Tuna Helper

Sugar (3-5 lb bags)

Flour (3-5 lb bags)

Snack and Breakfast Bars

Paper Bags

Bring donations to the Volunteer Entrance during pantry hours.

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.

FOOD PANTRY HOURS

Tuesday: 10a-Noon • Wednesday: 6-8p • Thursday: 10a-6:30p

Friday: 10a-Noon • Saturday: 10a-12:30p

Badger Prairie Needs Network

1200 E. Verona Avenue,

Verona, WI 53593

(608) 848-2499