Missouri hunters are encouraged to give back to their communities this fall and winter during the Department of Conservation’s Share the Harvest campaign.
In 2015, the program collected over a quarter million pounds of venison. The deer meat is packaged and distributed to local food banks for families in need.
“There are still a whole lot of people in Missouri who are in need of food help and Share the Harvest is a great opportunity to provide much needed protein in the form of healthy venison,” Joe Jerek, MDC Statewide News Service coordinator, said.
About 100 meat processors assist hunters in the packaging of donated deer. Financial assistance may also be available through various sponsors.
According to a 2012 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Missouri ranked seventh in the nation for food insecurity.
Jerek notes that since Share the Harvest launched in 1992, 3.5 million pounds of venison has been donated to those in need.
“The success of Share the Harvest really comes from the collaboration among mainly deer hunters along with the participating meat processors and a whole bunch of local and state sponsors,” Jerek said.
More information about the program is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation website.