VA Hunters Have Record Year When It Comes To Helping The Needy
February 27, 2008
Hunters For The Hungry is a collaboration between hunters, deer processors and food banks to help get donated deer meat to the needy who can benefit from it. Just about every state has some form of this type of organization operating in their state to help fight hunger even if it goes by a different name. NRA State by State List of Organizations
This past year deer hunters in the state of Virginia really stepped up to help those in need;
Statewide, Hunters for the Hungry, a wild game donation program, processed and distributed more than 363,000 pounds of deer meat to families and individuals living in poverty in 2007.
Locally, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network based in Verona received 5,000 pounds last year, an increase of 2,650 pounds from 2006, said Ruth Jones, the bank’s public relations officer. Mercy House, a homeless shelter in Harrisonburg that helps families with young children, also received donations of meat, but officials there could not be reached for comment.
The increase in donations is a result of larger deer populations across the state, combined with hunters’ growing awareness of Hunters for the Hungry, said Laura Newell-Furniss, director of the program. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has not yet released the number of deer killed by hunters in 2007 and 2008.
“Every year [Hunters for the Hungry has] grown,” Newell-Furniss said. “There were a lot of deer taken, we’re a growing program and more people hear about us and get involved in it.”
Well Done Virginia Deer Hunters you’ve done a great job and are an inspiration to the rest of us to get involved in efforts to help the needy in our own state. Also remember that besides deer they have a need for cash to help pay for processing the deer. I know here in NC that only a certain number of deer can be done because of lack of funding. So help them out if you can.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
Good post Moose! From what I’ve heard about Virginia Hunters for the Hungry, your point about their need for cash donations can’t be emphasized enough. Deer processors have to make a living, so somebody has to pay to get those dear ready to distribute to people who need the meat!
[...] Yesterday I reported on the generosity of Virginia deer hunters to give to the needy by donating deer they harvested. Hunters For the Hungry in Virginia had a record breaking year with those in need benefiting greatly from the generosity of hunters. As I reported many states have similar groups that pair hunters with processors who process the meat for the food banks. Many of these processors will do this project at a reduced cost but there is some cost involved and usually the Hunters For The Hungry coordinate raising the funds and paying the processors for butchering the deer. [...]