INDIANA — As deer hunting season moves into full swing across the state, Hoosier sportsmen and sportswomen have a unique opportunity to turn their time in the field into a lifeline for families facing food insecurity.
The Indiana Hunt for Hunger program—formerly known as the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund—is calling on hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed hungry community members across the state. Program organizers highlight a remarkable impact: just one donated deer can provide up to 200 servings of healthy, high-protein ground venison for Hoosier families.
How the Program Works
Participating in Hunt for Hunger is designed to be seamless and entirely free for the hunter:
- Harvest: Legally harvest an Indiana deer during the hunting season.
- Drop Off: Take the field-dressed deer (with the hide left on) to a local participating deer processor.
- No Cost: Processing fees are completely covered by Hunt for Hunger, meaning zero out-of-pocket costs for the hunter.
- Distribution: Partner processors turn the venison into healthy ground meat, which is then distributed to non-profit food banks, local food pantries, and free meal programs.
A Longstanding Tradition of Giving
Originally launched in 2008 by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund, the initiative was rebranded in 2024 as Indiana Hunt for Hunger to better reflect its core mission. Over the years, the program has expanded into a statewide network, collecting thousands of deer donations and providing hundreds of thousands of meals to Hoosiers in need.
The program is a collaborative effort coordinated alongside trusted partners, including Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsman’s Club, and Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry.
Over 50 Participating Processors Statewide
Hunters across Indiana can choose from more than 50 participating local processors who have completed the required DNR application to partner with the program. Participating locations span dozens of counties.
| County | Deer Processor Name | Address | City, State, Zip | Telephone | Hours / Special Notes |
| Greene | Bloomfield Processing, Inc. | E. State Road 54 | Bloomfield, IN 47424 | 812-384-4512 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Mon.; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tues. – Fri.; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat. |
| Greene | Lighthouse Custom Meats, LLC | 464 N State Road 57 | Bloomfield, IN 47424 | 812-645-9637 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat. |
| Greene | Nolting Custom Processing | 2738 North 1100 West | Linton, IN 47441 | 812-699-2031 | Not listed |
| Greene | Solsberry Deer Processing & Taxidermy | 11463 East Chapel Road | Solsberry, IN 47459 | 812-369-9922 | Monday – Sunday; 9 am – 9 pm |
| Monroe | KW Deer Processing | 1715 E. Rayletown Rd. | Bloomington, IN | 812-824-2492 | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mon. – Sun. |
| Orange | Lyndel’s Processing | 2320 E U.S. Highway 150 | Paoli, IN 47454 | 812-723-4058 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Walk-in cooler drop off open 24 hours; Mon.-Fri. bow season/gun season daily hours 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Whether hunters are utilizing 24-hour drop-off boxes or standard operating hours, local butchers across the state are ready to handle donations throughout the season.
For a complete, up-to-date directory of participating processors, county listings, operating hours, and drop-off guidelines, hunters are encouraged to visit local conservation offices or check partner network resources online.
This season, a successful hunt can mean more than just a trophy or a freezer full of venison—it can mean providing a critical meal to a neighbor in need.
