News & Updates

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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.

FHFH’s mission to feed the hungry has been featured in a National Geographic web article!  ​It’s great to see our mission getting more media coverage outside of the hunting and shooting sports world so that more people can learn how hunters are giving back and blessing the hungry people of their communities!

You can read this great article about FHFH here.

Get ready to go shopping…we have some new items in our FHFH Gift Store featuring the new FHFH logo design!

You can get great FHFH logo merchandise and help feed the hungry.  All proceeds directly support the mission of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry.

Josh and Matt Wilson of FHFH attended the 2016 Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show in Louisville, Kentucky at the KY Exposition Center January 5th – 7th. The show provided a great opportunity to thank current industry partners as well as seek the support of many new companies and organizations for FHFH. Support from the hunting and shooting sports industries is critical as FHFH continues its mission of feeding the hungry of our nation through donated meat of deer, elk, and livestock.

Our FHFH coordinator La Rue Ragan in Palo Alto, CA joined with his church (Abundant Life Christian Fellowship) and their local food pantry (The Ecumenical Hunger Program) to help feed over 60 people in their community on Christmas Eve! Check out the story from La Rue along with some wonderful pictures below. This event helps illustrate how FHFH is able to collaborate with other agencies and ministries to take care of needs in the local community!

​We started setting things up at about 3:30 AM and got the smoker going at about 5:00 AM.  There was a constant threat of high wind gusts and sporadic torrential rains. but Grace prevailed and the timing worked out despite having to literally hold the canopies down with our hands until we could get them tied to the fence.  Things did subside and warm up near the middle of the day, which is when the main crowd of RVers or “caravana” showed up, but not before I could collect a hoodie full of rain!
 
Volunteer Frank Friedrich manned the deep fryer and supplied the snow goose breast, which we grilled and served as h’orderves or small side-dish elements.  Hands-down, the goose breast was the unexpected hit of the day in my opinion.  Most of the people had never had goose before and the simple field seasonings that were applied, along with the wood smoked flavoring, made for an outstanding wild game experience. 

Volunteer Henry Alexander provided curb-side service for guests that were physically unable to stand for extended periods of time; we just had them pull their vehicles up a-la drive through style, fixed their plates and brought it to their windows.  Next time I think we may try to talk Henry into trying on a pair of roller skates.  Henry was also our quality control person on the smoker that day.  He kept an eye on the temperature, and fed the fire to insure our birds and ham came out just right.  Elijah, Henry’s son, was also a key part of the food prep.  He helped set up the serving table, mixed the green beans (my special combination), and served guests once the cooking was done.
 
All together we served approximately 60 people.  About eight family groups of various sizes were represented.  Several caravana were parked/camped along the street where we set up that day. Another four families drove up to the serving site between down-pours.  Even as we were cleaning up to go people were still driving up, returning to the area to park and stay over-night.  We also sent one of the smoked turkeys to our local police department to express our gratitude for their support and so that they could also share in the celebration while working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Everything was absolutely delicious. There was enough so that everyone could eat their fill and then have a plate to take back with them for Christmas Day.
 
 We must give a huge thank you to the following individuals and organizations for their administrative and material support of this event:
 

• On-site event volunteers:
  • Elijah Alexander
    
  • Henry Alexander
    
  • Frank Friedrich (Special note: Mrs. Friedrich performed the challenging task of picking up Christmas gifts for all the children and seniors in the families that were there).
    
  • La Rue V. Ragan
    
• Elder, Archelle Funie of “Abundant Life Christian Fellowship”, for supplying his professional chef’s gas grill to keep things warmed.
• Ms. Diane Nikfar, of “Raven Works Field Sports Ministry”, for supplying one of the much needed rain canopies.
• Our local Social Services and food pantry- “The Ecumenical Hunger Program” an NGO in East Palo Alto, California for the Pies, cookies, turkeys, and ham.
• Mi Pueblo, our local community super market, supplied an assortment of tamales, re-fried beans, bottled water and soft-drinks. 
• Our local East Palo Alto Public Works Department, Ms. Gloria Galindo, for supplying the trash cans, pre and post event trash collection support.
• East Palo Alto and Menlo Park Fire Departments for providing safety oversight and encouraging community support.
• An extra special thank you to Orchard Supply Hardware of Mountain View California, store managers and employees, for supplying the most excellent smoker, which took care of business old-school country style on all the meats.

 
Above all, we give thanks to God for the awareness, drive, favor, and material resources to conduct this FHFH event.  It was truly a way of to express care and concern for our neighbors as He would expect us to.

Recently several young people in Indiana were recognized for donating their first deer to help feed the hungry through FHFH…

Ken Worman – the FHFH coordinator for Carroll, Cass & Howard Counties – said, “In bow season, I was notified that a 12 year old boy, Wyatt, had harvested his first deer ever and donated it in Cass County. Then opening day of gun season (November 14th), while I was at Simpson’s Deer Processing in Young America promoting FHFH a man asked me, ‘How does my daughter Sara donate her deer?’ I looked down and there stood a cute 13 year old girl with the most awesome smile. She had harvested her first deer ever and wanted to donate it. That is when I realized I was feeling something special – indescribable but totally undeniable – in these two experiences that the Lord provided!”

Wyatt, Sara, and their families gathered in late December at the local Isaac Walton to receive certificates of appreciation from FHFH. Also in attendance was Jason Mitchell of the Emmaus Center who thanked Wyatt and Sarah for their donations and closed the evening with a prayer.

We are excited to announce that FHFH will be the featured on the Mossy Oak Hunting the Country TV show airing the first week of January. In this episode, two young hunters shoot and donate deer to FHFH while learning a wide variety of lessons along the way. CLICK HERE for a preview!

Tune in to the Outdoor Channel on one of the following days and times to see the show…

• Tuesday, January 5th at both 5 PM and 9 PM (airing twice)
• Friday, January 8th at 12:30 AM​

Please help us get the word out by sharing this with your friends and family. Don’t forget to post the dates and times on social media as well! Past television episodes featuring FHFH have introduced our mission to hunters, volunteers, donors and supporters across the nation leading to new chapters and expansion into new areas. 

We are grateful to our long-time ministry partner Mossy Oak and Haas Outdoors for continuing to support our mission by sharing FHFH with their nationwide audience!