Nashville, TN –-(Ammoland.com)- Tennessee’s Hunters for the Hungry program has collected nearly one million pounds of donated venison for food banks and soup kitchens across the state, over the course of 15 years.
The program has grown steadily, but the need is virtually unlimited. This year, thanks to generous supporters, hunters can donate approximately 2,000 whole deer this season at no cost through participating processors.
Cash donations underwrite the processing fees, and funding is the program’s biggest challenge.
According to Tracey Alderice, director of agency and program services at Second Harvest Food Bank, one in six adults and one in four children in Tennessee struggle with hunger.
“More than 400,000 people in our 46-county service area are at risk of hunger,” Alderice says. “By connecting a local Department of Agriculture- approved processor with a Second Harvest Partner Agency, we’re allowing Tennessee hunters to donate meat that provides our clients with much-needed protein.”
One pound of venison equals four meals, and most food banks say Hunters for the Hungry is their only reliable source of protein during the colder months.
“The need has grown exponentially, and we want our supporters to understand what a difference they can make in people’s lives by donating to this program,” said Matt Simcox, TWF’s manager for Hunters for the Hungry.
Those 2,000 deer would provide nearly half a million meals to hungry Tennesseans, at no cost to the hunter.
A complete list of participating processors and remaining funding quotas is available on the Federation’s website at www.tnwf.org, where monetary contributions can also be made.
Once funding is exhausted, processors will accept donated deer at a discounted rate, typically $40, to be paid by the hunter.
“We are extremely thankful for Hunters for the Hungry because it allows everyone in the process to take advantage of every opportunity to give back to their local community and help those in need of food assistance,” Alderice said.
About:
The Purpose of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation is to champion the conservation, sound management and enjoyment of Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources for current and future generations through stewardship, advocacy and education. Visit: www.tnwf.org