Hunters For Hungry Need Donations

The Eastern Shore Chapter of the Hunters for the Hungry has seen a reduction of deer turned into the program to date this year. This reduction mirrors the reduction seen at the state level for donations. The goal for this year is 200 deer and the program has had 96 deer processed to date. There are only a few weeks remaining in the deer hunting season. There remains a strong need for this nutritious product at the Food Bank. Since the program began locally in 1997over 4500 deer have been donated. This amounts to over 135,000 pounds or 540,000 servings of net processed meat.

The program enables hunters to donate a field dressed deer to be processed into ground meat that is distributed through the Food Bank and Lighthouse Ministries. It costs $45 a deer to process, the expense paid by local fundraising. With a per deer fee, hunters are encouraged to donate larger deer to further processing dollars and yield per deer. Deer donors are not required to pay any of the processing costs at drop off but funds will accepted if they chose to donate towards the cost.

The Processor this year is Brent Powell in Wachapreague (787-7107). There are refrigerated collection coolers at B&B Convenience Store in Machipongo and the Food Bank in Tasley.

The program has matching money available for donations from business, civic groups and other organizations. The program is a 501c3 and donations are deductible. The organization may be selected on the local United Way donation form.

Donations may be made out to Hunters for the Hungry PO Box 1702 Parksley VA 23421.

To answer any questions or to help with the organization please call the local director, Worth Saunders at 757.665.4517 or 757.710.0049, or email aes3ptocs@yahoo.com