Consider Donating Your Next Deer to Georgia’s Hunters for the Hungry

If your freezer is full of venison, but you’re not quite ready to hang up the bow or deer rifle this season, consider donating a deer to the Georgia Hunters for The Hungry (GHFTH) program! GHFTH gives hunters a great way to participate in getting venison — the ultimate high-protein, low-fat, organic meat — to those less fortunate.

Hunters can donate field-dressed deer to participating processors, with program funding covering processing costs. On average, one deer yields about 50 pounds of ground venison, which processors then distribute to local food banks. Food banks often face challenges in sourcing protein, and GHFTH helps fill this gap by providing a healthy, organic source of protein to families in need.

Since its inception in 1993, GHFTH has provided an estimated 1.5 million meals to Georgians in need. This year, the program is receiving a significant boost thanks to increased funding from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This will expand the annual donation of processed venison from the typical 10,000 pounds to 120,000 pounds—a timely increase as many families and communities across the state are still struggling to rebuild their lives, homes, and businesses from the recent hurricanes.

And even though we’re well into the 2024-2025 deer season, there is still plenty of time to contribute.

“There are a couple of months left in the deer season; if you’ve filled your freezer, you don’t have to stop hunting. Please consider harvesting a deer for the Hunters for the Hungry program!  You can donate deer at a participating processor at no cost to you. It will be processed and distributed to those in need,” said Ted Will, Director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “This year, we have expanded the number of participating processors and the distribution goal. Venison donation is a true win-win for hunters, managing your deer herd, and getting much needed meat to food banks across Georgia.”

While donating a deer to a processor is one way to help, there are other ways to participate:

• Donating to the Georgia Wildlife Federation or becoming a sponsor. A $15 gift will process enough venison for 24 meals.
• Promoting GHFTH and identifying new processors in underserved areas.
• Becoming a participating processor.

The Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program is a partnership of the Georgia Wildlife Federation, the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, the Georgia Food Bank Association and Municipal Development Services, LLC.

To find a participating deer processor check out the interactive map below.

And for for more information about the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program, visit gwf.org/ghfth/.