Share the Harvest gives nearly quarter-million pounds of venison to feed the hungry

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News from the region
Statewide
Published Date
03/03/2016
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — More than 4,500 deer hunters donated nearly a quarter-million pounds of venison (228,306 pounds) from last season's deer harvest to the state's Share the Harvest program. The donated deer meat will help feed hungry Missourians all around the state.

Share the Harvest is coordinated by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM). It works by deer hunters donating their extra venison to participating meat processors throughout the state who grind the deer meat into one-pound packages. The packaged venison is then given to food banks and food pantries for distribution to Missourians in need of food assistance.

The program coordinates the efforts of thousands of hunters, more than 100 participating meat processors, numerous local supporting organizations, and about a dozen statewide sponsors.

Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include: MDC, CFM, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Missouri Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Food Banks Association, United Bowhunters of Missouri, Missouri Trappers Association, the Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association, and the Walmart Foundation.

Since the program was started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided more than 3.5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians.

For more information on Share the Harvest, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/2544.