Updated 11/26/19

With deer season in full swing and the holidays quickly approaching, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program is accepting to help feed local families in need.

Thanks to the generosity of hunters, Hunters for the Hungry has provided more than 7 million meals of healthy, lean protein to hungry people.

“Hunters for the Hungry had its second-best year in 2018 providing more than 581,000 meals to families in need,” said Matt Simcox, Hunters for the Hungry manager. “We are looking to keep that momentum going during the holidays and into the New Year.

When hunters harvest a deer, they can donate it in part or whole to the program at a participating processor. The deer is processed, and the venison is delivered to local hunger relief organizations.

Currently, hunters can drop off a whole deer donation at no cost to them. Each year, Hunters for the Hungry covers tens of thousands of dollars in processing fees for donations. If deer donations surpass available funding for this season, hunters can pay a reduced, $50 processing fee or redeem a Deer Coin.