Hunters in West Virginia are donating deer to feed families

The Hunters Helping the Hungry Program, an initiative by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section, has been making a difference in the lives of many for the last 32 years.

Since 1992, generous hunters have been helping to feed West Virginians by donating their deer to the program. Since the program started, over 28,000 deer have been donated. Over 1 million pounds of meat have provided meals for over a million people and families in need.

The program relies on the generosity of hunters, financial contributors, and participating processors.

The program works by participating hunters bringing their deer to designated processors, who grind, package, and freeze the venison. Feeding America members, the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway, and Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington distribute the venison to more than 600 charitable food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters, and more.

In order for processors to participate in the program, they need to be certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Once certified, they need to contact Trevor Moore at 304-924-6211 and send an email with a copy of the certification to trevor.m.moore@wv.gov. Once approved, processors can begin receiving and storing meat for pickup. Processors are eligible to be reimbursed for $3 a pound.

Current Hunters Helping the Hungry Meat Processors

The Hunters Helping the Hungry Program has tremendous potential to change the lives of many who go hungry, but the program costs have averaged over $43,000 over the past seven years, and the WVDNR is unable to use license funds, the program relies on the support of individuals, businesses, conservation organizations, foundations, and churches.

The program uses key fundraising events to get the financial support needed to fund its success. The Governor’s One-Shot Hunt has been a vital event since 2007, providing both venison and funding.

Another fundraising event is the Share the Harvest Sunday. Held annually by the West Virginia Council of Churches on the first Sunday in November, this event sees approximately 3,000 churches encouraging their congregations to donate any amount they can afford to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

Individuals, churches, organizations, and businesses wishing to contribute to the HHH program send checks and money orders to:

Hunters Helping the Hungry
WV Division of Natural Resources
163 Wildlife Road
French Creek, WV 26218

HUNTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY 5-YEAR ANNUAL REPORT