HARRISBURG — State Agriculture Secretary George Greig asks hunters to donate deer meat to the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program, which distributes to food banks, soup kitchens and pantries in the state.

“Hunger affects more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians in all corners of our state,” Greig said Tuesday at an event in Enola, Cumberland County, to kick off the program.

“By donating venison, hunters can help keep food on their neighbor’s tables this winter,” he said in a news release.

Hunters can take their deer to one of more than 100 participating meat processors. They can donate any amount of their venison.

Any hunter donating an entire deer is asked to make a minimum $15 tax-deductible contribution to help cover processing costs. The program covers all remaining fees.

The Department of Agriculture, through the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, contributes $1.25 per pound of donated venison to reimburse processors. The deer meat is processed into ground venison before it is distributed, according to the release.

Pennsylvanians also can donate money to the Buck for the Pot campaign, which supports Hunters Sharing the Harvest.

To learn more about the program or to get a list of participating meat processors, visit www.sharedeer.org, or call toll-free 866-474-2141.