For the past 15 years, hunters across the state have been bringing meat to the tables of those in need. Just last year, thanks to the efforts of Georgia hunters and participating meat processors, nearly 29,000 pounds of venison was collected, processed and distributed to food banks across the state. This meat provided for more than 144,000 meals for Georgia’s hungry. This year, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) offers hunters the same opportunity to help aid in the fight against hunger. Beginning Saturday, Sept. 8 – the opening day of deer season – hunters can donate harvested deer at participating collection sites throughout the state.

“The Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program is an opportunity to show the positive aspects of hunting – providing a very nutritious, low-fat meal for those who need it,” says WRD Director Dan Forster. “Our agency is very proud to be a part of this program and to work with the many partners who make it possible each year.”

WRD, along with the Georgia Dept. of Corrections, Georgia Dept. of Agriculture, Georgia Wildlife Federation and the Georgia State Association of Food Banks sponsor the program, providing hunters of all ages a unique opportunity to utilize their hunting skills to benefit others.

Hunters can donate deer in one of two ways – at one of seven (7) weekend collection sites that will be available on Oct. 27-28, 2007 and from Sept. 8, 2007 – Jan. 1, 2008 at eight (8) additional collection sites hosted by deer processors.

Hunters interested in participating in GHFTH should bring field-dressed deer to any of the drop-off locations (see below). All hunters who donate a deer during this collection period will be entered into a drawing for a deer rifle, sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

The following seven locations will be available between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 27-28, 2007:

·Social Circle – WRCC on U.S. Hwy. 278; 1.5 miles north of Exit 101 off I-20

·Perry – The Sports Center, 1444 Sam Nunn Blvd.; Exit 136 off I-75

·Newnan – Royal Baptist Church; Hwy. 34 bypass N to Royal Mayo Rd.

·Dawsonville – City Hall; 5 miles west of GA 400 on Hwy. 53

·Rockmart – Lamar’s Sports Center, 392 Atlanta Highway

·Rome – Lavender Mountain Hardware, 4065 Martha Berry Hwy., NW

·Richmond Hill – Plantation Lumber & Hardware, 10829 Ford Ave.

The following eight locations will accept deer from Sept. 8, 2007 – Jan. 1, 2008 during business hours:

·Hoboken – Big Creek Sausage Co., Inc., Rt. 1, Box 146-A, (912) 458-2120

·Jefferson – Sealey’s Deer Cooler, 5675 South Apple Valley Road, (706) 335-9304

·Sparta – Garner’s Grinder, Rt. 3, Box 464-2, (706) 444-9228

·Columbus – Daffin’s Meat Processing, 4100 ½ River Bend Road, (706) 322-8848

·Irwinton – Starley’s Deer Processing, 190 George Hatcher Road, (478) 946-8976

·Vidalia – Stewart’s Quality Meats, 204 Washington Street, (912) 537-9888

·Tifton – Safety-Rite Foods, 147 Ridge Avenue S, (229) 382-1242

·Douglasville – Douglasville Retail Meat & Smokehouse, 3749 Kings Hwy., (770) 947-6624

Since the program’s inception in 1993, nearly 200,000 pounds of venison has been donated. Considering the increase in participation in years past, the GHFTH program expects to serve it’s one-millionth meal this season.

For more information on donating game to those in need during other times of the year, call the Atlanta Community Food Bank at (404) 892-FEED. For more information on the GHFTH program, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com,  contact a WRD Game Management Office or call (770) 761-3044.

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