As local hunters head out looking for deer, John Plowman and Tom Rossman are wondering just how big those hunters' hearts are this year. How many of them will donate their venison to Hunters Sharing the Harvest?

Through the nonprofit, statewide charity, the results of their seasonal sport can end up on the plates of hungry people.

“This is our 25th year. We're marking our 1 million pounds milestone this year,” said Plowman, executive director of Hunters Sharing the Harvest.

“Butler County is the third-highest county for deer meat donations in the state,” Plowman said. “The hunters in Butler County should be commended for donating and supporting the program.”

Tom Rossman was the organization's Butler County area coordinator until his recent appointment as state executive coordinator.

“We went from 8,000 pounds of venison two years ago to 11,500 pounds last year,” Rossman said.

Numerous people dedicate effort to making the best use of the deer to help Pennsylvanians needing food assistance. It takes hunters, deer processors, financial donors, volunteer county coordinators, a board of directors, state legislators, state and local agencies and the media to make the program a success.

Hunters Sharing the Harvest coordinates processing and distribution of the donated meat. Hunters donate their deer at Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture-inspected butchers and receive a donor receipt. Those processors work with the carcass, grind the meat and put it in bags. Food banks and other charitable organizations pick it up for their use.

With a steady increase in venison donations through the years, and the huge increase in the past few years, the local program outgrew its freezer capacity for the meat. Fortunately, XTO Energy and the community meal program Katie's Kitchen stepped up to fund a new, larger freezer in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Rossman said 27 agencies in the county share the venison.

“All of the community meals in downtown Butler are involved and many food cupboards,” Rossman said. “It's in demand all the time. If I got 20,000 pounds of venison in, it would be gone.”

Rossman said all of the meat donated in Butler County stays in Butler County. Some food programs pick up venison at the processors and others pick up the meat at Trinity Lutheran Church at set distribution times.

Rossman said, “100 percent is ground. The average deer provides about 40 pounds of ground meat.”

McKruit's Meat Packing, 1011 Bear Creek Road, Cabot, is one of several participating processors in the county.

“We accept any deer that comes to be donated. We've been in the program since its inception,” said Dan McKruit.

He said deer received during archery season are out the door before rifle season begins.

“We start out the rifle season at zero as far as holding,” McKruit said. “It's game-on then.”

Their company receives deer year-round but not at the same pace.

“December is peak processing time and we double our staff for that month,” McKruit said. “(It's a) perishable item so you have to get right on it and stay on it until it's done.”

Due to the volume, McKruit has to find skilled meat cutters who can help in their time off.

“We shut down our beef and pork operation at Thanksgiving and then we shift gears and set up differently and concentrate on deer for a month. Then after the holidays we switch back to beef and pigs and lamb and goat,” McKruit said.

Hunters Sharing the Harvest reimburses McKruit's $65 per deer, $25 less than McKruit's usual processing fee.

“It enhances our business even though we donate a little money,” McKruit said.

His company recoups a bit of the unreimbursed cost with the deer hides the business gets to keep.

“We sell our hides to leather companies and tanneries,” McKruit said. “It's a very desirable hide for glove material.”

He believes in the program and said with so many people stopping by, the company gains loyal customers and friendships develop.

“It has a certain excitement to it. It's a big deal,” McKruit said. “You have to give it somewhere. Everyone does their part.”

Visit www.sharedeer.org or call 1-866-HSH-2141 to donate deer, give money through the “Buck for the Pot” coupon campaign or volunteer. Corporations, foundations, individuals, clubs and businesses can all participate as sponsors and contributors.