HSH Program Venison Donations on Track Despite Lower 2014 Deer Harvest

Final reports filed by the 100 or so butchers participating in the Hunters Sharing the Harvest Program (HSH) show the statewide effort to provide high quality protein to needy Pennsylvanians nearly achieved its annual goal, despite a significant drop in the statewide deer harvest. Hunters donated over 2,400 deer last hunting season, resulting in 97,000 pounds of ground venison burger for distribution to food banks and pantries. HSH’s yearly goal is to channel 100,000 pounds of venison to the needy through community-based food programs.

Thanks to hunter generosity and certified butcher participation, the 97,000 pounds of donated venison is now providing about 450,000 meals to hungry Pennsylvanians. One hunter-donated deer yields up to 200 meals of ground burger, which is more adaptable for a wide range of uses and recipes than all other cuts. Shelters or needy families themselves can use the ground meat to make everything from meatloaf to spaghetti sauce Ground venison is a versatile, high-protein, low-fat and nutritious food that is, in many cases, the only red meat available to some struggling families facing food insecurity.

The near achievement of the 100,000-pound threshold is significant considering the Game Commission’s report that the overall 2014 statewide deer harvest was 15 percent below the take in 2013. Commission officials observed that heavy and continual rain across much of the state during the gun season likely resulted in lower hunter turnout. HSH credits the continuing loyalty and growing support among hunters who still enabled the program to nearly reach its annual goal of donated meat from a lower statewide harvest.

HSH, a registered 501c3 non-profit charity, is celebrating its 23rd year in 2014 helping Pennsylvanians in need. An improved financial situation within the program may also have helped to boost the total of donated venison. For many years HSH asked hunters to make a deposit of $15 toward butchers’ processing fee when donating a deer. But generous funding support from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Departments of Agriculture and Conservation & Natural Resources, Consol Energy, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Wal-Mart, Safari Club’s PA Chapters, the Marcellus Shale Coalition and many of its industry member companies, plus over 50 other business and organization sponsors eliminated the need for the hunter deposit, although most hunters contributed the deposit willingly. An updated list of HSH partners and supporters is available on our website, www.sharedeer.org, as well as links to all components of the program.

Ongoing needs for HSH within Pennsylvania include attracting new sponsorship and partner support to further defray processing costs, and continuing to build the network of meat processors, local coordinators and media contacts in underserved counties. Currently, HSH has no meaningful or effective outreach infrastructure in Warren, McKean, Potter, Forest, Venango, Elk, Clarion, Cameron, Jefferson, Clinton, Mifflin, Juniata, Snyder and Northumberland/Montour Counties. HSH would like to feed the hungry families in those areas too. Please help by volunteering or contacting us at 717-545-1188 or jwp@sharedeer.org. Visit www.sharedeer.org