News & Updates

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Announces Annual Totals

Hagerstown, Maryland – June 24, 2024 – Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH), a faith-based non-profit that facilitates the donation, processing and distribution of nutritious meat to needy individuals and families across America, is proud to announce the completion of another successful year in the fight against hunger.

Through the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and generous supporters, FHFH was blessed to receive 3,141 donated animals from hunters and farmers over the past year. The ministry paid participating local butchers a discounted rate to process these donations into a total of 133,473 pounds of nutritious meat. This valuable protein resource was distributed by our partner food banks and hunger relief programs, providing 533,892 quarter pound meat servings to families and individuals in need.

“These numbers represent hope being served on countless plates to people in need,” said Josh Wilson, Executive Director of FHFH. “In Matthew 25:35 Jesus tells us, ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…’ Thanks to the compassion of so many hunters and farmers, the expertise of our butcher partners, and the tireless work of our volunteers and partner agencies, FHFH is fulfilling this scripture in a tangible way.”

The donated meat provides a critical source of protein for those struggling with food insecurity. This protein can be used to prepare a variety of nourishing meals at soup kitchens and shelters, or at home by families who receive meat distributions. Examples include hearty stews, chili, casseroles, and spaghetti with meat sauce.

FHFH extends its deepest gratitude to:

• The hunters and farmers who generously donate their time and their harvest.
• The butcher shops that partner with us to process the donated meat at a discounted cost.
• Our financial donors who provide the resources to keep this program running.
• The dedicated volunteer coordinators who organize the FHFH ministry in their communities.
• Our partner food banks, shelters, and soup kitchens that ensure the donated meat reaches those who need it most.

Together, we are making a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families facing hunger.

About Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) is a faith-based non-profit organization that bridges the gap between the abundance of wild game and domestic meat, and the millions of Americans struggling with hunger. We connect hunters and farmers across Maryland, Ohio and portions of many other states with local butchers who process their donations into nutritious meat for local hunger relief programs to distribute to people in need. The ministry raises money to pay the meat processing cost, so there is typically no charge to the donors and recipients. We also encourage people to support and participate with other similar organizations and programs found in states across the country.

For more information about FHFH and our mission, please visit our website at www.feedingthehungry.org, call 301-739-3000 or email staff@fhfh.org.

The NRA Foundation has awarded Northwest Ohio FHFH a $5,000 grant. This generous grant support will help our ministry provide 14,000 servings of protein-rich meat to local food banks and feeding ministries, ensuring people facing food insecurity have access to essential nutrients.

Protein is often one of the most challenging items for food banks to secure due to its cost and perishability,” said FHFH Executive Director Josh Wilson. “Thanks to the NRA Foundation’s support, FHFH can bridge this gap and help ensure people in need have access to a balanced and healthy diet.”

About the NRA Foundation
Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.  The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

FHFH, along with the countless individuals and families it serves, extends its heartfelt gratitude to the NRA Foundation for their commitment to supporting our mission of feeding the hungry.

FHFH donated venison to the Frederick Food Bank in Frederick, MD and received this note of thanks:

“The Department of Housing and Human Services is deeply grateful for the FHFH initiative, which has been instrumental in our ability to assist countless families in Frederick facing food insecurity. Without your ongoing support that we’ve received over the years, our mission would be impossible. Our heartfelt thanks extend to the generous hunters who contribute deer for processing, as well as to the local butchers whose collaboration is invaluable to the success of our food programs.” ~ Michele Ott, Assistant Director, Department of Housing and Human Services, The City of Frederick

In the photo, meat donated by FHFH was taken in coolers to their off-site food distribution and included in the food bags that they provide to 75 different families each week.

We extend our gratitude to the Walmart Foundation for their continued support of our mission! Their generous Spark Good Community Grants are making a profound impact on our mission to alleviate hunger in communities across the nation.

Walmart store #798, Marshall, Illinois – A $1,000 grant to Eastern Illinois FHFH which will help us provide nutritious meat to people struggling with hunger in Clark County.

Sam’s Club store #6437, Bloomington, Indiana – A $500 grant to Monroe County Indiana FHFH which will empower us to provide more meat to the people facing hunger in this region.

Sam’s Club Store #4947, Zanesville, Ohio – A $1,000 grant to Muskingum County FHFH which will help us offer hope and sustenance to individuals and families in need in Muskingum County.

We received this note of appreciation for FHFH’s donation of meat to Refuge of Hope Ministries located in Canton, Ohio and the blessing the donations are making for people in need in their community:

“Refuge of Hope has been incredibly blessed to receive donations from FHFH. Last month we were gifted 2400 pounds. For perspective, we use 150-200 lbs. of ground beef for 1 night’s serving of meatloaf. Mixing in venison makes the ground beef go so much further. We create many delicious meals like pasta with meat sauce, sausage gravy, taco Tuesday’s, meatballs, burgers, sloppy joes, and more! A donation like this allows us to prepare 24 more meals per month without having to buy meat! It will get us through the rest of this year. Thank you so very much for this tremendous blessing!”
~ Kristie Woods, Director of Community Relations for Refuge of Hope Ministries

The chairperson of the Mardela Middle and High School food pantry expressed gratitude for the blessing of nutritious venison donated to their food pantry:

“The meat provided by the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry was used to help feed 15 local student’s families in need here at Mardela Middle and High School. We were able to provide two weeks of provisions for each family during the holidays. Your donations were much appreciated, and we cannot do this without your support.”

~ Cathy Ramey, Chairperson

FHFH has been awarded a $500 grant from The Frederick Mutual Insurance Company Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Frederick County.

This generous grant will help in the fight against hunger by enabling FHFH to provide additional protein-rich meat to local food banks and feeding ministries, ensuring those facing food insecurity have access to essential nutrients.

“Protein is often one of the most challenging items for food banks to secure due to its cost and perishability,” said FHFH Executive Director Josh Wilson. “Thanks to Frederick Mutual Insurance Company’s support, FHFH can bridge this gap and help ensure our neighbors have access to a balanced and healthy diet.”

Frederick Mutual Insurance Company established this fund in 1994 with the purpose of providing resources and support to nonprofit organizations meeting needs in communities across Frederick County enables a ministry of care, which Frederick Mutual strives to promote from both an employee and business perspective.

FHFH, along with the countless individuals and families it serves, extends its heartfelt gratitude to The Frederick Mutual Insurance Company Donor Advised Fund for their commitment to supporting a hunger-free Frederick County, Maryland.

Tom Norman, coordinator for Wayne County FHFH in Ohio, shared the donation of meat to FHFH by Yoder Custom Meat:

“Our numbers of deer donated last hunting season wasn’t quite what we had hoped for but God keeps showing off! Our processor called and said they had deer sticks and hot dogs that people never paid for that they would like to donate. Pictured are Jennifer and Riley with 600 plus pounds on the way to be donated! God is still doing amazing things!”

We are so grateful to The Howard County Farm Bureau in Maryland for generously donating some of the funds raised at The Lisbon Christmas Parade to support our mission!

This gift will help us provide meat for over 6,000 meals to the hungry.

Two of our FHFH programs in Ohio donated a combined total of over 30,000 servings of nutritious meat for people struggling with hunger in communities served by these programs.

Northeast Ohio FHFH:
Meat for over 15,000 meals to the hungry of Northeast Ohio this past season was donated by hunters, processed by Duma Deer Processing and given to our partners Refuge of Hope and Haven of Rest Ministries, Akron, OH for distribution to those in need.

Northeast Ohio FHFH coordinator Rick Firdig shared “I am so blessed to be able to share that our local FHFH organization (OH-33) was able to raise funds to help process and then donate 3,800 pounds of deer meet to feed the hungry in NE Ohio this fall/winter. This program partners with corporate and individual donors, hunters, farmers, local butchers, and food banks in our region. Please share the website (https://feedingthehungry.org/) for anyone looking to donate meat or funds to continue to support this great cause. God is good all the time!”

Wayne County FHFH:
Tom Norman, Coordinator for Wayne County FHFH in Ohio, shared the deer donation totals for the 2023-2024 hunting season.

There were 76 deer donated which provided 15,200 servings of nutritious meat for people in need in Wayne County!

Tom thanks everyone who donated a deer, donated financially, prayed for Wayne County FHFH and thanks our great meat processors Canaan Meats and Yoder Custom Meats. Your support of our mission of feeding the hungry in Wayne County is very much appreciated. Without all of you, none of this would have been possible.