News & Updates

The National Deer Alliance (NDA) recently joined FHFH as a Mission Partner.  If you haven’t joined the alliance yet you can do so for FREE at their website.
 
In their weekly “On Watch” email newsletter earlier this month, the NDA included some questions about sharing meat with others and with programs like FHFH.  Of the members who responded, 12% said they donated venison to programs that feed the hungry this past hunting season.
 
The mission of the National Deer Alliance (NDA) is to serve as the unified voice of the modern deer hunter and guardian of North America’s wild deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage.  NDA focuses on policy issues impacting deer, deer hunters, and the deer hunting industry in coordination with the Quality Deer Management Association, Mule Deer Foundation and Whitetails Unlimited.

Indiana FHFH was at the Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis February 25 – 28.   They had a great time meeting people and sharing the mission of FHFH.  Indiana FHFH held a drawing for a Ruger 7744 (44 cal) rifle.  Literature about FHFH and FHFH logo merchandise were available at the booth.  Joining FHFH at the expo was Steve Stuart of WFMS radio.

A deer management program in the Metroparks of the Toledo area resulted in 6,740 pounds of venison being donated to local homeless shelters and community kitchens in Ohio.  The donated venison yielded approximately 26,960 servings of meat for the hungry!
 
The month-long kill was part of the Metroparks’ deer-management program that began three years ago to control the white-tailed deer population on its properties and reduce damage a burgeoning herd does to the habitat.
 
The deer were taken to three U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved processors and the venison was donated to local homeless shelters and community kitchens.

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry paid $11,640 of the $17,880 venison processing costs charged to the Metroparks.
 
You can read the complete article here.

Earlier this month Central Indiana FHFH coordinators John and Beth Mollet were featured in a radio interview on 95.5 WFMS. You can listen below…

FHFH will have booths with prize drawings, merchandise, and volunteers on hand to meet people and answer questions at these upcoming expos. If you are attending any of these expos, stop by the FHFH booth and say hello!

​We welcome Zac Crymes to FHFH as our new Northeast Louisiana chapter coordinator! 

Inspired by a passion for the outdoors and compassion for the needy, Zac joins our other FHFH coordinators who are making a difference to the hungry in their communities.

You can find Zac and the rest of our local chapter coordinators by CLICKING HERE. We encourage you to reach out and support them!

Many of us are doing an increasing amount of our shopping online.  Thanks to affiliate programs, we can now use our regular shopping activities and purchases to support the charities we love!
 

by Rick Wilson

Recently I was blessed to read a wonderful news article.  It was about a young boy name Lance who shot his first deer this past hunting season while hunting with his father.  I was thrilled to see that the excitement of taking one’s first deer remains at the “top of the charts” for a young boy or girl!  But getting the deer was only the first part of the story.  Next came the opportunity to share his accomplishment at school.  Facing some social struggles to “fit in”, Lance’s deer story opened doors to connect with his teacher and classmates in a new way.  But the writer saved the best for last…Lance donated his first deer to feed the hungry through FHFH.   

​You can enjoy Lance’s full story by CLICKING HERE.

Reading about Lance reminded me of my first deer back in November of 1961. Shortly after daylight that morning I spotted a lone deer working its way into a grassy opening on the side of the mountain. When he stopped about 30 yards away I eased my rifle up, looked through the peep sight took aim at an 84 pound spike buck. Dad heard the shot from my World War II era British .303 – purchased using $15 I had won in a local art contest – and walked 40 yards down the mountain from his stand.  The buck had dropped in his tracks.  Like Lance’s father Dean, my dad who was my best hunting buddy felt the joy and excitement of helping his son take his first deer.

That first deer at the age of 15 changed my life.  Like Lance and many kids growing up I faced some difficulty fitting in socially with my peers.  Having little interest in team sports, my days were spent enjoying the fields, mountains, and competing in archery tournaments.  After four long years of praying to take a deer, God finally answered.  I knew then that deer hunting would play an important role in my life.  

While taking your first deer is exciting, I now know something else that Lance has also learned…nothing can equal giving it away to some unknown hungry folks who need it more than we do.  Lance and many other young people across America are demonstrating their love for God and their fellow man by giving their first deer to feed those in need.  And we couldn’t be happier for them!

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”   Acts 20:35 NKJV

Statistics about the number of meals provided can tell part of our story. But the real proof that we are making a difference can be found in the lives of the people we impact. This includes people dealing with hunger as well as with those who labor to serve them.

Originally produced several year ago, this video segment about FHFH called “Hunting the Harvest” resurfaced recently. It tells the story of one of our coordinators – Dewey Thompson – who gives his time to help the hunters of his Ohio community feed their needy neighbors. Check it out to see how our PASSION for the hunt translates into COMPASSION for the hungry!

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Receives $25,000 Grant from the Walmart Foundation to Support Indiana Hunger Relief
Donation brings nutritious donated meats to the Hoosier state
 
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – January 22, 2016 – Today, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program to assist with the organizations hunger relief effort in the state of Indiana.   Specifically, this grant will positively impact the local community by enabling FHFH to provide nutritious meat from donated deer and livestock to feeding programs and ministries that serve the needy of the state.
 
“We are very grateful for this contribution which will assist our chapters in their efforts to enable hunters and farmers provide protein-rich meat to the hungry of Indiana,” said FHFH Executive Director Josh Wilson.  “The Walmart Foundation is a wonderful partner in our mission to address the problem of hunger in Indiana and across America.”
 
The grant was presented to FHFH during a check presentation ceremony held today at Hoosier Hills Food Bank.  During the ceremony Walmart Market Manager Corey Langston and Store Manager Rachel Stenson spoke about the importance of giving back in the Hoosier state.
 
“At the Walmart Foundation, we understand that organizations such as FHFH are essential to building stronger communities.  They share our values and are committed to Hoosiers in need live better,” said Langston. “Through this donation, we are hopeful that residents in Indiana will have greater access to nutritious meets from donated deer and livestock.”
 
FHFH gives hunters and farmers in Indiana the opportunity to donate deer and livestock to over 29 participating butcher shops for processing and distribution to food banks, shelters, soup kitchens and ministries that feed the hungry. The organization raises financial support to pay the meat processing bills. Currently there are 13 local FHFH chapters in the state.
 
The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better, awarding grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.
 
To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application.  Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria.  Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
 
As part of Walmart’s $2 billion commitment to fight hunger through 2015, Walmart donated 21.4 million pounds of food to local food banks—nearly 18 million meals in the last fiscal year in Indiana.  In fact, Walmart reached $260 million in cash and $2.6 billing in in-kind donations nationwide, delivering on its commitment one year early. Additionally, just in the last fiscal year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave $40 million to Indiana nonprofits.  For more information on Walmart’s fight against hunger, visit http://foundation.walmart.com/our-focus/hunger.
 
About Farmers And Hunters Feeding The Hungry
Inspired by a passion for the outdoors and compassion for the needy, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) is committed to addressing America’s hunger problem in a unique and relevant way. Established in 1997, FHFH enables hunters and farmers in states nationwide to provide nutritious meat to feed the hungry of their communities.

• Click here to donate financially (tax deductible) to FHFH.
• To donate venison or livestock, click here to find a participating meat processor in your state.  
• To find out how your corporation or organization can become a Partner with FHFH, call (301) 739-3000 or e-mail staff@fhfh.org.
• If you wish to volunteer your time working for FHFH, please call us at (301) 739-3000 or email us at staff@fhfh.org.

 
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger relief and healthy eating, sustainability, career opportunity and women’s economic empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.