Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, December 10, 2013
(GREENE CO.) - The Greene County Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) is requesting local hunters donate their deer kills to be processed for local food pantries.
The Greene County Daily World reports, County coordinator Brady Miller said so far in the season, there have been 45 deer donated, and there is a need of more donations to help those in need.
Miller said this will be the final push for donations, as there is less than a month left of hunting season. Muzzleloader season will run Dec. 7 to 22 and archery season runs through Jan. 5.
"This year I have received more calls than ever from pantries needing meat. We are here to help, but we need deer donated in order to provide the meat they need," Miller stressed.
The process is entirely free for donors by taking the deer to the Bloomfield Processing Plant, and telling them they would like to donate the meat.
Bloomfield Processing Plant also serves as an official state deer check-in location.
"The number one question that I get asked is 'Does it cost me anything to donate a deer?' The answer is no. We pay for 100 percent of the processing costs. Just bring it to Bloomfield Processing and tell them you want to donate your deer," Miller said.
Miller noted the deer are packaged in one-pound packages of deer burger, and one deer can provide up to 200 servings donated to the local food pantries.
"Over the years of our Greene County operations we have been able to provide nearly 20,000 pounds of meat to local pantries. We currently have 11 pantries and feeding missions we provide meat to," Miller explained.
Don Reed with the Lyons Community Food Pantry said this is the third year they have worked with FHFH, and are increasingly grateful for the chance to help people in the community.
"The biggest problem we have is getting meat. We are just really grateful for that program," Reed said. "We are running around 40 to 50 families twice a month."
Reed said this program has been an excellent way to ensure families in need are fully fed.
"It is a great help for us to be able to furnish meat to the people that come through," Reed said.
Miller added FHFH also accepts cattle and hog donations throughout the year, and the processing for these are also entirely free and benefit local food pantries.
For more information about donating a deer, contact Bloomfield Processing at 812-384-4512. To learn more about FHFH, call 812-876-9699 or email greenecountyfhfh@yahoo.com .
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