Finding Solutions: Hunters help feed the hungry in CSRA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - This time of year especially after Hurricane Helene, our local nonprofits tell us more families need assistance getting fresh, healthy food on the table.
That’s where the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry come in.
They’re finding solutions in providing food, specifically venison to local food banks.
The Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program has been around since 1993, getting much-needed meat to food banks across the state.
“It was a way to have hunters help provide food to other Georgians in need and it’s great,” said Charlie Killmaster, Georgia Department of Natural Resources deer program coordinator. “Especially when you have in some areas a surplus of a deer population, so it’s a very win-win type of scenario.”
Finding Solutions: Blood bank seeks donations ahead of new year
It’s the time of year when people are traveling, and the one place you’re probably not headed to or thinking about is the blood bank.
Hunters can choose to harvest a deer and take it to a participating processor at no cost.
Gunner Couch is the owner of Game Over Processing in Appling and has been a part of the program for a year.
“When I heard about it, I was excited to be able to help out people around here who need food,” said Couch. “It’s been good. We got contracted for 3,000 pounds and we’ve done around 1,800 pounds already.”
Golden Harvest Food Bank and Columbia County Cares Food Pantry benefit from this program locally.
Couch says they deliver the meat every other week.
“It always feels good taking it closer to here and the people are always excited that are there,” said Couch. “They are extremely happy every time the people that work there and there have been people there picking up other meat and they will put it down and pick up the deer meat because they say they love it.”
Finding Solutions: Local group helps encourage, educate future generations
, uplift, encourage and educate girls — that’s the mission of one organization who’s making a difference in future generations.
Killmaster says ultimately all hunting regulations must still be followed. He says they encourage hunters to target antlerless deer in areas that have agricultural damage.
“We’re trying to strike a balance between having the right amount of deer for the landscape so they are not causing too much damage, but we still have plenty for people to see, people to hunt,” said Killmaster. “This program is one of the tools we can use to achieve those population goals in those areas.”
If you are looking to help, deer season ends Jan. 12. You can find more information on their website here.
“If you’re just looking for a way to help people out, this is a great way to do what you love and help people,” said Couch.
So far this year, Georgia Hunters for the Hungry has donated 145,000 pounds of ground venison.
If you don’t hunt, you can always donate to the program which in return helps cover the processing cost.
We have three processors in our area located in Appling, Sparta and Keysville.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
