Over 1,000 pounds of venison delivered to food banks in Statesboro and Augusta
GWF staff deliver venison to the GAP Ministries in Augusta (above) and The Food Bank in Statesboro (below).
COVINGTON, GA – The Georgia Hunters for the Hungry (GHFTH) program is helping deliver donated venison to food banks in Statesboro and Augusta, communities still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
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.
Recently, the Georgia Wildlife Federation delivered venison to two of the state’s hardest-hit communities, Augusta and Statesboro. Donated deer were processed at The Meat Shed in Eatonton and Steve Bishop’s Processing in Covington. GHFTH funding covered the processing fees, resulting in 623 pounds of venison going to GAP Ministries in Augusta and 463 pounds to The Food Bank in Statesboro.
At the core of the program is Georgia’s generous hunting community. Hunters 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.
The success of the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program depends largely on hunter harvested deer. As the 2024-2025 deer season begins, hunters can contribute by donating extra harvests to nearby participating processors. For more information, visit gwf.org/ghfth.
Program partners include the Georgia Wildlife Federation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources Division, Feeding Georgia, and Municipal Development Services, LLC.
About Georgia Wildlife Federation
Georgia Wildlife Federation was founded as a sportsman’s organization in 1936 and is Georgia’s oldest conservation organization. Today, members include hunters, anglers, bird watchers, hikers, educators, and all Georgians who are interested in preserving our natural resources and outdoor heritage.
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