(Indiana) –The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division has awarded Hoosiers Feeding the
Hungry a grant in the amount of $75,000 from its Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund.
Debra Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, said that the funds received will be used to pay
processing fees on over 52,000 pounds of donated deer throughout the hunting season, with the meat being given
to agencies serving the nearly 800,000 food-insecure residents of Indiana.
According to Feeding America, an estimated 47% of Indiana residents struggling with food insecurity make above
the threshold to qualify for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. To make ends meet, many are
turning to local hunger-relief agencies such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens. “More than ever,
families are struggling to buy groceries and hunger-relief agencies are seeing more demand for their services.” Said
Katie DeForest, Fund Development Director for Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “Unfortunately, these agencies are
experiencing the same diminished purchasing power that families are experiencing with their own grocery
budgets and meat, especially, is difficult to obtain. Venison donations allow us to tap into a resource not available
in grocery stores, increasing the amount of nutritious meat that we are able to provide to hunger relief agencies
throughout the state.”
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry partners with various community members and organizations in order to get more
meat into hunger-relief agencies and into the hands of residents in need. Farmers, hunters, and 4-H members
donate deer and livestock to their “Meat” The Need program. Donations are processed at local participating meat
processors and the meat is distributed to hunger-relief agencies within the community it was donated in. Hoosiers
Feeding the Hungry pays 100% of the processing fees so there is no charge to donors or agencies receiving meat.
“The DNR’s contribution will allow us to continue and expand on our mission of hunger relief by providing over
200,000 more meals through local hunger relief agencies within Delaware County. We are so grateful for the
continued support of our efforts in responding to the needs of those in the community facing hunger.” Said Debra
Treesh
To donate, hunters just need to take their deer to a local participating meat processor (call ahead to schedule
livestock). After processing, local food banks and pantries are called to pick up the donation. There is absolutely no
charge to the deer donors. For a list of participating meat processors, visit www.HoosiersFeedingtheHungry.org.
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry Awarded $75,000
