Hunters Helping the Hungry

Popular Program Approaches Amazing Milestone October 20, 2010 Reporter: Patrick McMurtry Videographer: Brad Rice

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The number of deer in West Virginia usually translates into a lot of deer harvested in the various hunting seasons in the state. For many hunters, this is a prime opportunity to help out people who wouldn't otherwise have a chance to put venison on their menu.

Jerry Westfall with The Division of Natural Resources, says the program offers a great opportunity for hunters to help the needy. "Hunters can contribute to Hunters Helping the Hungry the entirety of the buck season, antler-less season and muzzle loader season. Hunters will drop off animals at certified processors, these processors will then turn them into two pound packages of frozen venison distributed by Mountaineer Area Food Bank."

This program has been going on for almost twenty years, and throughout that time, it's really just incredible how generous our hunters have been, and that generosity has fed a ton of people.

"Since this program began back in 1992, hunters have contributed about 735,000 pounds of venison which equates to almost a million meals and this year 2010, we will exceed the million meal mark." says Westfall.

That's something! It also doesn't cost taxpayers a dime...all the money to pay processors comes from donations, and, of course, the meat is all donated too.

"The tradition of hunting is very strong in WV and we hope to maintain that. The Division of Natural Resources has a statutory mandate to promote hunting and other diversified opportunities. It's a clean, wholesome, family oriented activity that contributes to the whole economy." says Westfall.

And in times like this, when the economy is struggling, hunting, and Hunters Helping the Hungry, steps in to help thousands of folks make it through the tough times.

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