Arkansas’ modern gun deer season kicked off this past weekend and one statewide organization is reminding hunters in Arkansas how they can join the fight against food insecurity.
Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry helps families in need by providing food pantries with fresh protein sourced right here in Arkansas’ deer woods. The group’s mission, said President Ronnie Ritter, is to transform a renewable resource into food for the hungry. And more hunters are needed to meet what organizers say is a growing need.
Deer can be dropped off at any participating facility, processed and then picked up by the organization and distributed to local food pantries. There is no cost to the hunter.
All donated meat is distributed free and is usually donated to food pantries in the same county. It is served at churches, children’s shelters, rescue missions and community food banks. Ritter said he works with many feeding agencies across the state and the number one commodity they need is protein.
Ritter hopes to encourage more hunters in Arkansas to consider donating one or more of their legally harvested deer to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. He particularly addressed those hunters who aren’t always interested in filling all their tags.
Ritter added that hunters can help in another important way: by donating a few dollars to the organization when they purchase their hunting or fishing license.
Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry has provided more than four million servings of meat for food pantries across the state since its founding in 2000. The group, he said, has received generous financial support over the years in its mission to transform an abundant white-tailed deer population into a renewable food source for the hungry.
For more information on Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and to find out how to join the fight against food insecurity, visit www.arkansashunters.org or call (501) 282-0006.
