Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Illinois Deer Donation Program returns for its third donation season as “Hunters Feeding Illinois.” The name change is a reflection of an expanded partnership among Feeding Illinois, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network, and University of Illinois Extension.
The Expansion
Hunters Feeding Illinois has the same mission: to connect hunters, meat processors, and food pantries and support access to lean protein for Illinois residents and families. The expanded partnership covers 16 counties in east-central Illinois and 16 counties in southern Illinois.
The east-central territory includes Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, and Shelby counties. The southern territory includes Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White, and Williamson counties.
“Around 1 in 6 people in Illinois struggle to access food, with rates higher in two-thirds of the program coverage area,” says Caitlin Mellendorf, nutrition and wellness educator. “Protein foods are expensive and Hunters Feeding Illinois makes it possible for Illinois individuals and families to spend a little less on protein.”
Hunters Donate for Free
Like previous years, hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost. Partnering meat processors are prepared to accept donated deer with the start of deer hunting season in October. Because processing volume increases throughout the season, hunters are encouraged to call processors in advance to confirm they have slots to accept deer. Processors have a select number of slots for donated deer, which becomes more limited as the season continues.
The following meat processors will be accepting deer donations:
Partnering Meat Processors in East-Central territory
- River Bend Wild Game & Sausage Company in St. Joseph
- Moweaqua Packing Plant in Moweaqua
- Connelly Locker in Martinsville
- Oconee Chop Shop in Oconee
- Howe’s Custom Deer Processing in Cowden
- Windy Ridge Processing in Shobonier
- Blair’s Slaughtering and Processing in Louisville
- Salt and Strings in Louisville
Partnering Meat Processors in Southern territory
- R & M Meat Processing in Ellis Grove
- Birkner’s Processing in McLeansboro
- Sanchez Meat Processing in DuQuoin
- Shirley Farms Deer Processing in DeSoto
- Triple C Meats in Anna
- R & R Deer Processing in Vienna
Join the Match
Thanks to the collaboration with Feeding Illinois, your donation will be doubled dollar per dollar. A $50 donation becomes $100, which covers processing of one deer. In the 2023 season, the program processed more than 300 deer and provided more than 12,000 pounds of venison to food-insecure neighbors in Illinois.
To donate, read more about the program, find a list of partnering meat processors, and more, visit Hunters Feeding Illinois, and follow the program on Facebook to see local impact throughout the season.
Source: Michelle Fombelle, SNAP-Education Educator, University of Illinois Extension
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
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