HSH Meets Need of the Needy in Trying Times

By Doyle Dietz, Outdoors Editor

Hunters Sharing the Harvest chairman and South Central Region representative Rick Fetrow of Carlisle, who is a licensed butcher, demonstrates the proper method to field dress a deer before donating it to one of the participating meat processors in the HSH program that supplies meat to food banks and needy individuals

During its 29 years, Hunters Sharing the Harvest executive director John Plowman has seen the statewide organization that turns donated deer from hunters into meat by participating butcher shops and food processors that supply food banks, food pantries and needy individuals surpass even his lofty expectations.

Two years ago, for the first time, HSH surpassed Plowman’s annual goal of 100,000 pounds of ground venison meat that is distributed in freezer-ready tube packaging. He was concerned that his annual goal wouldn’t be met last year, however, primarily because of chronic wasting disease expanding in the deer heard — particularity in the central part of the state.

Well, when the final total came in for last year, even the verbose Plowman was left nearly speechless. End-of-season reports filed by participating butchers indicated hunters donated 4,110 deer last season, resulting in 160,455 pounds of ground venison for distribution to food banks and pantries.

“This was only possible with the partnership and support from our many sponsors, businesses and individual donations,” Plowman said. “Clearly, this is a showing of the caring hunters have for those in need, and being able to eliminate the $15 co-pay because of sponsor donations has provided the additional incentive for hunters to donate their extra deer into the system.”

Since 1991, the venison-donation program of HSH, a 501c3 non-profit charity, has coordinated the processing and distribution of donated deer meat and wild game from hunters and municipal herd reduction sources to hungry people throughout Pennsylvania. An average-sized deer will provide enough high-protein, low-fat meat for 200 meals through the sportsman-inspired community service outreach that effectively channels hunter-donated venison through a network of approved deer processors, food banks and some local charitable provider organizations throughout Pennsylvania’s urban and rural communities.

“There are an estimated 1,600,000 people who need food assistance in Pennsylvania, and even non-hunters can still help us fight hunger through cash donations, with every $25 donated representing 100 meals,” Plowman said. “Those extra donations will keep our current deer processors paid and busy throughout the season, and we continue to work hard to recruit more butcher shops so more donations of venison can be made to food banks throughout Pennsylvania.”

Financial support through the HSH “Buck For The Pot” campaign goes directly to the costs of processing and distributing donated venison. Every $10 donation results in 40 meals of venison, a $25 donation results in 100 meals, a $50 donation results in 200 meals and a $100 donation results in 400 meals.

Memorial contributions are available to honor a family member, friend, hunting club member, work associate or on behalf of an organization or business. Donations of $25 or more are recognized on the HSH website at www.sharedeer.org, and Plowman said this kind of financial support is also an appropriate way to express personal sentiments, while helping to fight hunger.

Contribution and memorial checks should be made out to Hunters Sharing the Harvest and mailed to John Plowman, 6780 Hickory Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Information about how to donate deer and a list of processors is available on the HSH website.

“Due to the increased numbers of deer donations statewide, we are actively recruiting additional meat processors in all counties to assist with processing for the upcoming season,” Plowman said. “Ideally we need more than one processor per county due to demand, and our registered deer processors are paid in full, at an agreed to rate, at the end of the season.

“Any processor interested in helping, please print out and complete the application on our website and mail it to me,’’ Plowman said. “And, I check my email (jwp@sharedeer.org) several times a day and I do return phone calls (866-474-2141 or 717-545-1188).

(Dietz is parliamentarian of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association)

Contact the writer: outdoors@republicanherald.com