Generous hunters are making a difference by donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program. This initiative, sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section, has been providing needy families across West Virginia with thousands of pounds of nutritious venison for 32 years.
Hunters Helping the Hungry makes a difference!
2023 Totals
Total Deer Donated: 433
Total Pounds of Meat: 17,187
Meals Provided: 22,916
Cost: $60,156
Since 1992
Total Deer Donated: 29,259
Total Pounds of Meat: 1,112,271
Meals Provided: 1,495,078
Cost: $1,664,395
Impact and Success of Hunters Helping the Hungry Program
Since its inception, Hunters Helping the Hungry has processed more than 28,000 deer, resulting in more 1 million pounds of highly nutritious meat being distributed to families and individuals in need. This vital program relies on the generosity of hunters, financial contributors, and participating processors.
How Hunters Helping the Hungry Works
For Hunters: Participating hunters bring their deer to designated processors, who grind, package and freeze the venison. The Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway and Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, both Feeding America members, distribute the venison to more than 600 charitable food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters and more.
For Meat Processors: Participating processors need to be certified with either the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Once certified, contact Trevor Moore at 304-924-6211 and send an email with a copy of your certificate to trevor.m.moore@wv.gov. Once approved, processors can begin receiving and storing meat for pick up. Processors are reimbursed at a rate of $3 per pound.
2023 Hunters Helping the Hungry Meat Processors
Processor | County | Address | Phone | Contact |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mann’s Meat Processing | Monroe | 1216 Back Valley Road Lindside, WV 24951 | 304-320-2035 | Zach Mann |
Puckett’s | Harrison | 8962 Good Hope Pike, Lost Creek, WV 26385 | 304-709-0247 | Doyle Puckett |
Hill Country Meats | Marion | 75 Coons Hollow Road, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-612-2168 | Leonard Martin |
D & K Custom Cutting | Taylor | 1686 Veterans Memorial Highway, Flemington, WV 26347 | 304-739-2686 | Danny Casto |
Syrews Custom Butchering | Lewis | 114 Louise Street, Weston, WV 26452 | 304-269-1290 | Tom Syrews |
Teet’s Meat Packing | Randolph | Craven’s Run Road, Elkins, WV 26241 | 304-636-9748 | Jamie Andrews |
Milam’s Custom Meat Processing | Kanawha | 554 Lick Branch Road, Charleston, WV 25312 | 304-776-3337 | Adam Milam |
S & J Custom Meats | Kanawha | 2441 Fisher Branch Road, Charleston, WV 25312 | 304-776-9166 | Jim Sayre |
Mauk’s, LLC | Logan | 1485 Crooked Creek Road, Peach Creek, WV 25639 | 304-687-7950 | Stephen Mauk |
Call’s Meat Market | Putnam | 3550 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, WV 25526 | 681-233-4444 | Leanne Call |
Wolfe Slaughterhouse | Jackson | 314 Evansview Road, Ripley, WV 25271 | 304-372-6025 | Wayne Wolfe |
Supporting Hunters Helping the Hungry
While Hunters Helping the Hungry has immense potential to make a difference, the program’s costs have averaged $43,343.36 over the past seven years. Because the WVDNR is unable to use license funds, the Hunters Helping the Hungry program is completely reliant on individuals, businesses, conservation organizations, foundations and churches for support.
Key Fundraising Events
Governor’s One-Shot Hunt
Since 2007, this antlerless deer hunt provides both venison and funding for the program.
Share the Harvest Sunday
Held annually by the West Virginia Council of Churches on the first Sunday in November, this event sees approximately 3,000 churches encouraging their congregations to donate any amount they can afford to the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program.
How to Contribute to Hunters Helping the Hungry
Individuals, churches, organizations and businesses can help sustain the HHH Program through generous monetary donations. Checks and money orders should be made out to Hunters Helping the Hungry and sent to:
Hunters Helping the Hungry
WV Division of Natural Resources
163 Wildlife Road
French Creek, WV 26218
For further inquiries, please contact Trevor Moore at 304-924-6211 or Trevor.M.Moore@wv.gov.
Hunters Helping the Hungry 5-Year Annual Report
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Processors | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Deer Donated | 685 | 679 | 500 | 579 | 681 |
Pounds of Venison | 23,659 | 23,385 | 20,104 | 23,807 | 24,580 |
*Total Cost | $48,032.35 | $45,266.89 | $38,197.98 | $45,233.84 | $46,703.84 |