PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hunting season is in full swing in Pennsylvania. During this time, state officials are asking hunters to share some of their bounty with those experiencing food insecurity.
Although the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program has been going on since the early 1990s, state officials say it's needed now more than ever as demands for food assistance have risen by 45% to 55%.
“In a year as unpredictable and full of challenges, the Hunters Sharing the Harvest really offers us a bright light,” Pennsylvania Agricultural Secretary Russell Redding said.
He said the program helps fill a gap of getting healthy meat protein to those in need.
“Pennsylvania hunters can donate deer to be processed and further donate it to our food banks,” he explained.
He said last year, food banks were able to get 160,000 pounds of donated venison into homes across the state, and 832,000 meals were served because of that.
“Not only was I so grateful for the experience and that I got to do it, but then the feeling of being able to give back to my community and then donate that does made the experience even that much better,” said Cassy Frie, a youth hunter who made her first harvest of a doe while participating in the program.