Mid-Michigan Dining

From a press release from the Mid-Michigan Food Bank

Bridging the Gap Between Hunters And The Hungry

Lansing, MI – For many in Michigan, fall means one thing – deer hunting. There are many reasons people hunt, to commune with nature, to bond with friends and family, and for some, to supply food for their families. But for those hunters who would rather not spend the next three months eating venison, the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger have a solution.
Since 1991, the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (MSAH) has been working to create linkages between hunters, wild game processors and charities which feed needy individuals, such as the Mid-Michigan Food Bank. MSAH is an all-volunteer organization, led by sportsmen and women who are concerned about making a positive difference for the communities in which they live.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, Michigan leads the nation in hunting licenses and sadly, has also led in the increase of working poor families with children. The Mid-Michigan Food Bank (MMFB) serves more than 92,000 individuals each year. Approximately 39% of those clients are children. MMFB seeks to bridge the gap between hunters and hungry families by giving hunters the opportunity to donate wild game to hunger relief organizations.
“Being able to provide protein to our agencies is such an important goal for us,” said David Karr, Director of Operations. “Providing a well rounded diet, including meat, is made much easier with the generous contribution that hunters make each year through this program.”

Nine deer processors who are involved in the program can be found on the MSAH website at www.sportsmenagainsthunger.org. If your processor is listed, indicate to them that you would like to donate your whole animal to the MSAH program at no cost to you. Hunters may also choose to “give a pound” to charity. In this case hunters are responsible for processing fees and can donate as much as they choose. If you currently work with a processor not listed, urge them to participate in this worthwhile program.

Another way hunters can help feed the hungry is to “give a buck” when they purchase their hunting license. All they need do is tell the cashier they would like to donate a dollar to the MSAH. This money is used to defray the cost of processing donated animals.

The Mid-Michigan Food Bank can take donations of wild game, as long as they are processed under Michigan Department of Health regulations. For more information about wild game donation, contact MSAH at (517)853-3663 or the Mid-Michigan Food Bank at (517) 702-3357.
The Mid-Michigan Food Bank serves 203 local food pantries which help families in seven counties. The Mid-Michigan Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. MMFB is also a United Way program delivery partner.

As a member of Feeding America, formerly known as America’s Second Harvest, Mid-Michigan Food Bank provides the local infrastructure of warehouse space, trucks, safety standards, staff and volunteers required to provide high-quality food and personal care products to its member agencies and serve people in need.

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