CONCORD — New Hampshire hunters can share their fall harvest with the needy through the "Hunt for the Hungry" program at the New Hampshire Food Bank.¬ The food bank is collecting donations of whole or processed game animals for distribution to more than 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and group homes statewide.¬
Last year, the Hunt for the Hungry program took in 2,555 pounds of donated deer, bear, moose, duck and other game meat, a little below the record total of 3,288 pounds of meat donated by hunters in 2007.
The program offers packaging instructions and can pick up your meat donation.¬ To donate game, call food bank operations manager Michele Garron at 669-9725.
If you're donating a whole deer, you can bring it to Lemay and Sons Beef in Goffstown, (622-0022), and they will process it for the food bank at no charge.
"We are counting on continued strong support from hunters this year," said Garron, explaining that the recession and rising unemployment have left the food bank's warehouse inventory levels critically low.¬ "Donations of protein foods are especially hard to come by. That's a big need that the Hunt for the Hungry program helps fill."
A hunter herself, Garron said she hopes to be successful in the field this season so she can contribute some venison to the program.
"The Hunt for the Hungry program is a great way for hunters to share their harvest and help needy families get through the winter," said Glenn Normandeau, executive director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.¬ "Wild game is a local renewable resource that is high in protein, low in fat and all natural - not to mention delicious."
For more information on donating to the New Hampshire Food Bank, visit www.nhfoodbank.org.
