Hunters for the Hungry
About Hunters for the Hungry
Hunters for the Hungry is a statewide hunger relief program dedicated to providing a healthy source of protein to needy Texans. Our mission is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in Texas by distributing donated venison to those in need, to provide a meaningful outlet for hunters to help their communities, and to promote environmental stewardship through wildlife management.
In Texas, 1 in 5 people struggle to afford food. In fact, our state has the second highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. But hunger in Texas affects everyone, not just those in need – food insecurity costs the state $9 billion per year.
The Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc., administers the Hunters for the Hungry program, coordinating with meat processors, food assistance providers, landowners, hunters, and state agencies. Through the program, hunters donate their legally tagged, field-dressed deer at participating meat processors across the state. The hunter contributes a nominal fee to cover processing costs, and meat processors prepare and package the venison, then contact local food assistance providers who distribute it to low income families and individuals.
During the 2011-2012 hunting season, 99 meat processors donated 152,962 pounds of meat to 99 agencies through Hunters for the Hungry. Since the program’s inception over 20 years ago, it has provided over two million pounds of meat – or an estimated 9.3 million servings – to hungry Texans. With the number of Americans who lack dependable access to adequate food on the rise, food assistance providers need the program’s help more than ever. Over 62 percent of food assistance providers reported needing more protein sources (meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, nuts) to serve their clients.
Printable 2012-2013 Hunters for the Hungry Brochure.
To learn more about Hunters for the Hungry, call 1-800-992-9767, ext. 506, or email hfth@tacaa.org.
How to Participate
Hunters
To donate deer to Hunters for the Hungry, bring your legally tagged, field dressed deer to a participating meat processor. Pay the reduced processing fee. You will receive a receipt for your donation. The fee is typically about $40, which pays for the processor’s labor. The processing fee may be tax-deductible; consult your tax advisor for details.
There is nothing else you need to do; the meat processor will prepare the meat and provide it to a local food assistance provider.
Due to state regulations, only white tail and mule deer are accepted through the program. Hunters for the Hungry cannot accept meat that has already been processed, but we can help you find a food assistance provider who may be able to accept it directly. Contact us for help.
If your area meat processor is not a Hunters for the Hungry participant, consider sharing information about the program and asking them to sign up.
Meat Processors
To become a Hunters for the Hungry participating meat processor, you must sign a participation agreement. Contact us to request an agreement.
To be eligible, meat processors must either be inspected on a federal, state, or local level, or fall under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of State Health Services. Verification is required to ensure the safety of donations.
Prior to each hunting season, participating processors receive supplies to manage the donated meat: donation receipts, two-pound chub packs for packaging donated venison, and promotional materials. Participating processors will be listed on TACAA’s website and in the Hunters for the Hungry program brochure.
Food Assistance Providers
Food banks, soup kitchens, food pantries, and other food assistance providers are eligible to receive Hunters for the Hungry venison donations. If your organization is interested in receiving venison, contact us to be added to the list of recipient organizations. Hunters for the Hungry does not directly determine recipients (that is up to the individual meat processor), but we do provide lists of nearby food assistance providers to help processors find recipients.
Hunters for the Hungry does not donate directly to individuals. Individuals in need of food assistance should call 211 or visit 211texas.org, or contact a food assistance provider directly.
Donate
Hunters for the Hungry always appreciates monetary donations to sustain the program. Please consider donating now.
Printable Donation Form.
