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Venison is an abundant natural resource in Indiana. Hoosier deer hunters put
around 6 million pounds of venison on the table each year. DNR officials
are urging hunters to share their harvest with food banks around the state
through the Sportsmen Against Hunger program.
"High protein, low fat foods such as venison are desperately needed by
organizations that provide for the homeless and hungry," said Jon Marshall,
public affairs chief for the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Sportsmen Against Hunger is meeting that need by organizing distribution of
venison to the areas where it's needed most. Dozens of Indiana meat
processors have offered their facilities as processing and collection
points. To ensure the highest health standards, all venison donated through
the program must be commercially ground and wrapped. Donors are asked to
cover the cost of processing.
Sportsmen Against Hunger is organized by the Central Indiana Chapter of
Safari Club International (SCI).
For every 5 pounds of venison donated, hunters will be entered in a drawing
to win a Winchester 12 gauge slug gun from SCI.
"For most hunters, knowing that their venison donation is feeding needy
Hoosiers is incentive enough. The prize drawing is our way of recognizing
the value of the contribution," said Steve Rilenge, Indiana SCI's Sportsmen
Against Hunger coordinator.
For more information call (317) 638-5360 or (317) 281-6895.
Sportsmen Against Hunger information:
www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/huntguide1/hunger.htm
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