The ongoing effort put forth by “Hunters for the Hungry” gained a new political ally last month when Virginia’s Lt. Governor Tim Kaine made an important announcement from Richmond. He will propose legislation to allow those getting their Virginia hunting licenses to include with their purchase, a volunteer contribution to the Hunters for the Hungry program. If passed, this legislation would be an additional and significant benefit to the fund raising efforts required to process and distribute venison that is donated to the program by hunters. A recent press release included the following which outlined the potential time line for Lt. Governor Kaine’s proposal; 

     “The earliest that the Hunters for the Hungry program can start to see the results of this effort will be the fall of 2003. They ask everyone to remember their program this year and it's need for funding. Program goal for this year is 250,000 pounds. This volume of donated meat will provide  one million servings of this nutritious food for people in need. We feel confident that the hunters of Virginia will make at least 5,000 deer available during the hunting season, thus $150,000 is needed to process this donated venison. Each $30.00 donation will process one deer and provide 50 pounds of food. Tax deductible donations can be sent to Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526.” 

     During the November 19, 2002 press release, Hunters for the Hungry Director, Laura Newell Furniss, noted the positive impact that Lt. Governor Kaine’s legislation will have, if approved. 

     “This is a very exciting day for the Hunters for the Hungry program and we want to start by thanking Lt. Governor Tim Kaine for his support of this legislation. We want to thank Bill Woodfin and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for their support as well. This legislation will allow the hunters of Virginia to make a voluntary contribution to Hunters for the Hungry when they purchase their annual hunting licenses.” Many familiar with the Hunters for the Hungry effort knew the Program’s founder, David Horne. His tireless dedication kept him on the move across the state where he made many friends and supporters alike for this effort which is dedicated to the Commonwealth’s less fortunate. Laura ties in the memory of David’s efforts by saying, “As many of you know, David Horne, the founder of the Virginia Hunters for the Hungry program, died on February 14th of this year. This idea had long been a dream of his and we are very pleased to see it moving closer to becoming a reality. Hunters for the Hungry is a statewide 501 (c) (3) charity with the mission of providing donated venison to people in need. During the hunting seasons, successful hunters donate deer that are surplus to their families’ needs. Year round we receive donations of deer through special damage permits and through municipal deer management programs.” Join us and others in supporting this noble effort which helps supply the hungry of Virginia with a nutritious meal. Call Hunters for the Hungry at 1-800-352-4868 for information on how you can support the distribution of processed venison or where donated deer can be dropped off at designated collection stations. You can also visit their website at www.h4hungry.org. 

© 2002 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved.