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For Immediate Release
November 19, 2009
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Alloway Urges Hunters to Donate Their Extra Venison for Local Food Banks

HARRISBURG – Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33) is urging hunters to participate in a venison donation program to help Pennsylvanians in need, utilizing the unique statewide program that is identified exclusively with sportsman and women.

Since 1991, the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program has coordinated the collection and donation of venison to local food banks. After hunters harvest and field dress their deer, the program allows hunters to take their deer to any of the programs 100+ participating deer processors to donate all or a portion of the venison for delivery to local food banks. They may use processors in the areas in which they hunt or live or convenient to travel routes. If the hunters have questions about the closest processors, they may call the toll free number at 1-866-474-2141.

Last year, the program generated more than 92,000 pounds of donated venison and coordinated delivery to the state's 21 regional food banks, resulting in nearly 200,000 meals to individuals at risk for hunger.

"The demands on local pantries and food banks are growing due to the recession, so there has never been a more important time for sportsmen to consider participating in this venison donation program," Alloway said. "Even small donations can make a big difference for local families suffering from hunger."

To date, participating processors in the 33rd Senatorial District include:

• Country Corner Market Deer Processing, 6032 Buttermilk Road in Waynesboro,
• Stitely's Meat Processing, 3647 Haulman Road in Chambersburg,
• Butcher Block Meat and Seafood, 3055 Biglerville Road in Biglerville, and
• Gary's Meat Locker, 236 Poplar Street in Hanover.

When hunters drop the deer off to be processed, they are asked to provide a tax-deductible $15.00 copay to assist in covering the costs of processing the meat. The hunters are given a receipt and a $15.00 discount card to Gander Mountain good towards their next purchase at the store.  The Hunters Sharing the Harvest Program pays the balance of the meat processing costs. The processors handle the venison under sanitary conditions and provide cold storage until the meat is moved to a local food bank.

Additional information about Hunters Sharing the Harvest is available online at www.sharedeer.org, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website www.pgc.state.pa.us under Hunting Information and the Hunters Sharing the Harvest link, or the as in the annual PA Hunting & Trapping Digest supplied with all hunting licenses.