Hunters can help feed the hungry

Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry, a national non-profit organization, encourages hunters to donate legally harvested game to local hunger relief groups through its Hunt Down Hunger program.

Participating butcher shops receive and process the deer and elk donations at a discounted price for Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry and similar organizations. These non-profits raise funds to cover the processing. The meat is then distributed free of charge to community food banks, soup kitchens, and other hunger relief programs.

"Throughout history, hunters have provided food for their families and communities, and their generosity is still needed and appreciated today," says Josh Wilson, Executive Director of Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry.

The Hunt Down Hunger website, HuntDownHunger.org, includes resources for farmers and hunters, butchers, food banks, and those who would like to donate or volunteer. An interactive map puts hunters in touch with the nearest butcher shop or locker participating in the program. If other venison donation programs are closer, a link is provided to that group's website.

For example, in Iowa, hunters are directed to the HUSH (Help us Stop Hunger) Program, a cooperative effort between hunters, the Food Bank of Iowa, meat processors, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Rachel Klein is the food pantry manager at Helping Hand of Warren County, Iowa, which partners with HUSH and the Food Bank of Iowa to receive meat that has been donated by hunters. She says these donations help provide clients with fresh protein they may not otherwise be able to enjoy.

"We try to educate clients on the versatility of venison," Klein says. "We encourage them to use ground venison in chili, tacos, and other dishes. It's a wonderful alternative to ground beef."

Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry has facilitated the donation, processing, and distribution of meat for 23 million meal servings over the past 25 years. Similar organizations across America have provided at least 10 times that amount, providing meat for hundreds of millions of meals.

Other organizations and businesses support the Hunt Down Hunger campaign, including the NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum. "The Hunters' Leadership Forum is grateful for the opportunity to partner with organizations like Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help solve the hunger issue in the United States," says the forum's Peter Churchbourne. "We encourage the donation of game meat to help with this effort, and advocate for sharing the important role hunters fill in solving the food security equation."

Hunters who are willing to donate their harvest are encouraged to communicate with participating butcher shops ahead of time to coordinate donations.