Got a freezer full of meat, seafood or wild game you know you’re probably not going to get around to eating?
Today is a good day to make some room and help feed someone in need.
Hunters For The Hungry Louisiana is holding its annual Clean Out Your Freezer Day, giving hunters, fishermen and other Louisiana residents an opportunity to donate frozen food and protein before the upcoming hunting season.
The organization is accepting properly packaged, labeled and dated game, fish, other protein and frozen food. Donations are distributed through Louisiana’s major food banks, as well as shelters, kitchens and other community agencies. Nearly 18,500 pounds of frozen goods were donated through the program in 2025.
Where to donate in the New Orleans area:
New Orleans
Puglia’s Sporting Goods
1925 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Sunday, August 23 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donations collected there will go to Second Harvest Food Bank and be distributed to New Orleans Mission.
Slidell
Rouses Market
1644 Gause Boulevard
Sunday, August 23 | 1 to 4 p.m.
Those donations also go to Second Harvest Food Bank for distribution to New Orleans Mission.
Other South Louisiana locations
Houma
Rouses Market
1410 St. Charles Street
Sunday, August 23 | 1 to 4 p.m.
Thibodaux
Rouses Market
Sunday, August 23 | 1 to 4 p.m.
Both locations are donating collected food to Plymouth Rock Baptist Church.
Around the rest of Louisiana
There are also collection sites in:
- Baton Rouge and surrounding communities
- Gonzales
- Denham Springs
- Central
- Clinton
- Lafayette
- Opelousas
- Youngsville
- Eunice
- Lake Charles
- Alexandria/Pineville
- Marksville
- Natchitoches
- Monroe
- Ruston/Dubach
- Shreveport/Bossier
- Natchez
Dates and hours vary by location, and some collection periods have already started or extend beyond August 23. The official Hunters For The Hungry location list has the most current information.
See the full 2026 Clean Out Your Freezer Day locations and times
What can you donate?
Your donation needs to be frozen and properly packaged, labeled and dated so the food bank knows exactly what it is. Game, fish, other protein and other frozen foods are welcome.
And hunters have another option: Hunters For The Hungry also operates programs that allow donated deer to be taken to participating processors, where the processing costs are covered by the program.
So if you have something in the back of the freezer you've been meaning to use — this is your sign.
Clear some space. Feed a family. And get ready for another hunting season.
