BANNER YEAR FOR FARMERS AND HUNTERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY

Meat processors, food banks, donors help provide more than 110,000 meals

TONGANOXIE -- Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KSFHFH) reports that 2005 was a banner year for the organization. With the help of hunters, meat processors, and private donors, the organization was able to dramatically increase the amount of venison the group provides to feed those in need.

During the past hunting season, 530 deer, one elk, and one bison were donated to KSFHFH. This is up from the 435 animals donated in the fall of 2004, a 25 percent increase. In addition, the organization was able to supply meat to nearly 100 food banks across the state through 38 meat processors. The effort provided more than 110,000 meals to hungry Kansans.

The bison was taken from a private herd on a hunt for the Outdoor Channel. The elk had apparently escaped from a captive herd of unknown origin. The Kansas Livestock Commissioner ordered that it be killed, so the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) harvested the animal and after testing for chronic wasting disease, donated it to FHFH.

Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) began in Maryland in 1997. It has since grown to cover 36 states encompassing 80 chapters. Initially brought to Kansas in 2001, it has grown dramatically and is funded through donations from private businesses, churches, clubs, and individuals. Recently, the KDWP has made it even easier to help. When outdoorsmen and women buy licenses, permits, or stamps, they are asked to donate $2 to support this program, which the agency collects for KSFHFH.

For more information on this program, email Tony DeRossett at tonyderossett@fhfh.org , phone him at 913-724-1189, or visit the KSFHFH website, www.fhfh.org/cgi-bin/aff_ks.asp . Make a monetary donation or use the FHFH Processor Quick Lookup to find the nearest meat processor involved in this program.

-30-