Deer hunting is in full swing across Virginia and for those in the Tidewater area of the state the harvest looks like another great year. Being in the outdoors for the late fall-early winter whitetail deer season is a special time for us that we never tire of. Harvesting a deer is the hoped for experience but just being in the woods, bottomlands and creek edges when the fall colors are changing and giving way to winter is a worthwhile experience in itself. For those who harvest a deer this season, there is tasty, nutritious venison to look forward to. Thanks to a statewide effort by Hunters for the Hungry there is also a way successful hunters can help the less fortunate across the Commonwealth. 

      The program began in 1991 as a non-profit organization which coordinated the processing and distribution of donated deer as ready to cook venison to the needy of Virginia. By successfully networking with food banks, civic organizations, social service offices, churches and others Hunters for the Hungry (HFH) have provided the equivalent of millions of processed, packaged venison meals to the Commonwealth needy. Their efforts continue today with the challenge to provide even more in total pounds of processed venison to the hungry. HFH continues to strive for reaching the high end goal of providing 500,000 pounds of processed, wrapped and distributed venison on an annual basis. 

      In addition to an optional two dollar donation that can be made when purchasing a hunting license, all funding for HFH comes from private sources. These include individuals, hunt clubs, civic and professional organizations, church groups, foundations and businesses. While HFH depends on harvested deer being provided by hunters, farmers, landowners and hunt clubs, there is also an ongoing need for monetary donations to cover the expense of processing deer into wrapped, labeled and distributed venison. All donations are tax deductible per the HFH status as a 501 (C) (3) tax exempt organization. A $15 donation covers the processing of one half a donated deer and a  $30 donation allows for the distribution of 50 pounds of venison to those in need throughout Virginia but HFH is grateful for any amount that is donated. All venison provided by HFH to Virginian’s in need is given at no cost to those receiving it so the effort is dependent on donated funds.

      To donate funds in support of this great program, make a check out to Hunters for the Hungry and mail it to Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, Virginia 24526.  HFH can be reached by phone at 1-800-352-4868 or via e-mail at, hunt4hungry@cs.com . The hyperlink for information about HFH which includes the statewide Virginia locations where donated deer can be dropped off is at; http://www.h4hungry.org/

© 2006 Steve and Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved