Program distributes deer meat to needy
While Pennsylvania hunters hope to take aim at trophy bucks this week, many also are taking aim at hunger.
Through a statewide program called Hunters Sharing the Harvest, sportsmen can donate extra venison to food cupboards and meal programs that need the help.
To participate, hunters drop off venison to participating processors, instructing them to donate all or part of their meat to the program. Processors allocate the meat based on immediate need or available freezer space. Hunters also can designate recipients or can take processed meat directly to participating food banks.
In most cases, the hunters receive a discount on processing, which is subsidized by HSH through various donations.
According to Tom Rossman of Center Township, one of three local HSH coordinators, the volunteer program has been a great success in Butler County. Jim Powell of Slippery Rock and Nick Duffy of Cranberry Township also are county coordinators.
Rossman said while many counties have only one or two participating processors and some have none at all, Butler County has nine. Rossman said processors were recruited in all areas of the county to make it convenient to donate.
"A hunter is not going to drive 20 miles to drop off his deer," Rossman said. "We're trying to make it so that nobody has to drive more than 10 miles."
Statewide, the HSH program netted more than 100,000 pounds of donated meat for needy families last year, with more than 5,000 pounds in Butler County.
There are more than a dozen county food pantries and hot meal programs eager to accept donated meat through HSH. Rossman also noted HSH also accepts meat from conservation officers who bring in accidentally or illegally shot deer as well as deer hit by vehicles if they can be processed promptly.
The Rev. Robert Mathias of the Moniteau Food Pantry in West Sunbury used at least 200 pounds of donated deer meat last year.
"I can't keep it in. As soon as they know we have deer meat, people want it," he said.
<table width="300" height="275" border="0" align="right" valign="top" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed src="/assets/mov/BE60913125.MOV" width="320" height="250" autostart="false" loop="false" ></embed></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/" target="_blank"><span class="style11">Requires Quicktime Media Player </a><br><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Times New Roman">Video by Brandon Gerthoffer</font></span><td></tr></table>Mathias said the food pantry, which served an average of 80 families per month or a total of 300 last year, distributes the venison by request."There is a note on the table that if you want venison, please ask for it. Nobody turns it down."Dorothy Steighner said venison also is appreciated at the Loaves and Fishes program of Summit Presbyterian Church. "They like to get it," she said, noting that food bank serves 35 to 40 families a month.Nick Monday, coordinator of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Cupboard, agreed."We always ask 'Will you eat venison or deer meat?'" he said. "I'd say 90 percent of our people like it. It comes in wrapped in 5 or 10 pounds in the form of hamburger. I think last year we gave out around 350 to 400 pounds."The donated venison is a godsend to their programs, both agreed. Mathias noted being able to utilize the donated venison allows the Moniteau pantry to purchase extra food."We're part of the Butler County Community Distribution network," he said. "For Thanksgiving, we spent nearly $8,000 for groceries that was raised through donations. This (venison program) saves us what it would cost to buy ground meat.""If it wasn't for hunters' meat, it would be very difficult. Getting enough food for our operation is not easy," Monday said, adding St. Vincent De Paul operates on a daily basis and serves up to 700 needy families."It's something people really, really seem to want and you can't get anywhere else," Mathias noted. "You can't buy it. You can only get it through donations."Connie Emmett of Harrisville coordinates the Feed My Sheep food cupboard from Slippery Rock Community Park. She said donations of venison last year were down, "but it seems like hunting season was also down."She said the program received four deer last year, but usually gets about 10.Feed My Sheep serves about 150 families a month, but distributed more than 170 food packages before Thanksgiving.The donated venison also is a blessing for hot meal programs like the Wednesday community dinner at St. Andrew's United Presbyterian Church in Butler. The program received more than 200 pounds of ground venison for the past two years, according to church volunteer Bud Weckerly. Through a network of Butler churches, a free hot meal is available five nights a week and serves about 100 people over those five days.
Weckerly has seen the benefit from both sides. Last year, he donated his second deer to the program."I had two deer, so I kept one and I donated one. It's a wonderful program," he said.For hunters, sharing a portion of their harvest is a great way to give back to the community and also maximize their hunting time. Bob Parker of Meridian bagged two does this year during muzzleloader season and has already donated one to Hunters Sharing the Harvest. He said although he usually gives his extra meat to friends and family, he decided to donate this year."I've never done it before," he said. "But I had two deer and also some license tags left, so I just decided to donate."The program also has a financial benefit for hunters who might bag more than they can use. Rossman said participating processors agree to discount their services for processing a donated deer."Because of that, they are allowed to ask the hunter for a donation of $15," he said. He also noted some processors will waive the $15 from hunters to encourage donations.Ron Rome of Rome's Meat and Deli in Herman said he already has 800 pounds of donated ground venison from early archery season ready for delivery to area food providers. Rome said he processes more than a ton of donated venison each year for HSH."Today, we had nine big bucks donated to Hunters Sharing the Harvest," he added."I like the program because it's very honest," he said, explaining hunters fill out paperwork when checking in a deer. When he (Rossman) picks up the meat, he knows exactly how much meat he's taking out of this place."Tracy McKruit of McKruit's Meat Packing in Cabot said at least four deer were donated to the HSH program on Monday, and she expects to process about 35 this season.She said her husband, Dan, has participated in the HSH program since its inception in 1991.All involved with the program expressed hope that county hunters will continue to be generous with their bounty."If there is somebody with extra tags and they can't use the meat," Mathias said, "I hope they'll give it and help one of the food pantries."HSH is operated by the Pennsylvania Responsible Use of Animals in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and various businesses and sportsmen groups.More information about the program, along with a list of participating processors by county, is available at www.sharedeer.org or by calling 877-474-2141.
Several deer processors and food banks in Butler County participate in the Hunter Sharing the Harvest program. Processors who waive a requested $15 donation are noted.<B>Processors</B>• Rome's Meat and Deli, Herman 724-285-1236, no fee• Henry's Market, Harrisville, 724-735-2551• Huff's Custom Meats, Prospect, 724-789-9672, no fee• Bill's Deer Processing, Evans City, 724-538-3554, no fee• Bim's Baloney, North Washington, Petrolia, 724-894-2569, no fee• McKruit's Meat Packing, Cabot, 724-352-2988• Dave Wright's Deer Processing, Saxonburg, 724-352-3376• Ifft Turkey Farm, Evans City, 724-538-5968, no fee• Tim Giger Deer Processing, Valencia, 724-898-2244
