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Another hunting season is here. With archery season coming to a close, many more hunters will join the ranks when November 7th ushers in the general hunting season for white-tailed deer. However, there are many people who will never participate in the hunt, but are just as excited about the potential results it brings. Food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other food assistance providers hope to benefit from hunters’ generosity this season through the Texas Hunters for the Hungry program.

Last hunting season, hunters donated 192,040 pounds of meat to the Texas Hunters for the Hungry program, with more than 90 food assistance agencies receiving and distributing the venison to their clients. In San Saba County, donations totaled 397 pounds. For the 2009-2010 hunting season, hunters and food assistance agencies alike, anticipate exceeding last year’s efforts.

Be part of the solution to hunger. For a complete list of participating meat processors, visit www.tacaa.org/hunters.htm. Interested hunters can take legally harvested deer to a participating meat processor, who will process and package the meat for a nominal fee to help cover basic costs. Meat processors make arrangements with local food assistance agencies to distribute the meat to people in the community who need food. In San Saba County, deer can be donated at Hibler Family Processing in San Saba.

If the processor you use is not on the list, encourage them to join by contacting program staff during business hours Monday - Friday at (800) 992-9767, extension 506.

Monetary donations to support the program are always welcome. See the website for details.

The Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA) provides outreach and coordination efforts for the Texas Hunters for the Hungry program. For more information about TACAA and other hunger relief programs, visit the web site at www.tacaa.org or call (800) 992-9767.