Hunters for the Hungry program works to relieve hungry families

One in six people in Tennessee will go hungry during the holiday season, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) announced today.   As gun season opens this weekend for deer, the organization, through its Hunters for the Hungry program, has partnered with hunger relief agencies and sportsmen to help reduce the number of families in need.

“In this time of Thanksgiving, we hope sportsmen and women will remember those less fortunate by donating a deer, or even just a pound of venison to the program,” said Matt Simcox, TWF’s Hunters for the Hungry coordinator.  “Last year over 71,000 pounds of meat was donated to the program and we hope to significantly increase that number this year.”

Hunters for the Hungry works with hunters and meat processors to fight hunger by providing venison to food banks, church programs and soup kitchens.  There are 70 processors in 54 Tennessee counties participating in the program.

“In Unit L up to three doe a day can be harvested,” said Simcox.  “We encourage hunters to take advantage of the liberal season as for some soup kitchens, venison donated through this program is their only meat source for the year.  Every donated pound makes a difference,” he continued.

Hunters can contribute to the program by donating whole deer or a portion of their own at their local participating processor.  Processing for donated deer is provided for a reduced rate.    TWF keeps a list of participating processors categorized by region and county on their website at www.tnwf.org.

For information on getting involved with Hunters for the Hungry, contact Matt Simcox at (615) 353-1133.