(OLNEY) It’s been announced that the Hunters Feeding Illinois program is returning for its fourth season this year, in partnership with Feeding Illinois, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network, the University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Education, & others. The ultimate goal is to connect hunters, meat processors, and food pantries to support access to lean protein for statewide residents and families, with food pantries now in 50 Illinois counties taking part. With the archery deer hunting season now underway, hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost as partnering meat processors are now prepared to accept deer, although hunters should call participating processors in advance to confirm they have slots to accept deer. Illinois Extension serving Richland, Lawrence, Edwards, Wabash, & Wayne Counties has been added to the program with two participating meat processors, Charlie’s Deer Processing & Smokehouse near Bridgeport and Legacy Meats near Sumner, plus the fresh ground venison will be delivered to five local food pantries, including The Master’s Hands in Olney, The Giving Hope Food Pantry in Olney, The Good Samaritan of Richland County in Olney, The Sign of the Kingdom in Sumner, and the Circle A Servolution in Allendale. For those who would like to help out with a donation, a $50 gift is matched by the program with the $100 covering the cost to process one deer. Folks can donate online at donorbox.org/hunters-feeding-illinois. If questions, call Alizah, the SNAP-Ed Educator for the local Extension Unit, at the Edwards County Extension Office in Albion, at 618-445-2934.
