Thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated 348,535 pounds of venison to the Share the Harvest program this past deer season, including 6,795 whole deer, are being thanked by the Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
Share the Harvest is coordinated by MDC and CFM. More than 4.3 million pounds of lean, healthy venison has fed hungry Missourians, including this past season’s donations, since the program began in 1992.
More than 100 participating meat processors throughout the state ground the donated deer meat and placed it in ready-to-use packages, and many sponsors financially supported the program.
Meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Gateway Area Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Food Banks Association and MDC.
The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries all around the state. To get Share the Harvest venison, contact local food banks or food pantries.
“Hunters started Share the Harvest because they saw a need in their communities and hunters remain the driving force behind this popular program that helps feed our fellow Missourians who are in need,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. “We sincerely thank the thousands of deer hunters who support Share the Harvest, along with the many participating meat processors and sponsors who help make it possible.”
CFM Executive Director Tyler Schwartze added, “We greatly appreciate the hunters, processors, and sponsors for their support of Share the Harvest. The donated venison stays in the local areas where the deer were harvested so it truly is helping out neighbors in need.”
Through Share the Harvest, Missouri hunters help provide those in need with high-quality protein in the form of naturally lean, locally harvested deer meat. For more information on Share the Harvest, visit CFM online.