Article Library
Monday, September 11, 2006
Venison Donation Coalition Helps Feed the Hungry in NYS
If you haven't purchased your 2006-07 sporting license yet but will shortly, I want you to consider a small cash donation to help feed the hungry. Whether you are a sportsman or not, simply stop by your town clerk or wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and donate a dollar or more to help fund the processing of thousands of pounds of venison to feed the needy.
During the last seven years, the Venison Donation Coalition has coordinated the efforts to process more than 205 tons of nutritious meat and distribute it to those in need. That equates to 1,651,748 meals served to the hungry.
Thanks to the many farmers, processors, food banks, hunters, RC&D councils, Farm Bureau, individuals, organizations, and sportsmen's clubs, this venison program thrives.
Meat cutters are recruited for participation and paid to process the donated deer. The venison is processed and packaged according to the Environmental Conservation Law and the meat is picked up by food banks for delivery to soup kitchens, food pantries, and needy families throughout the state.
The RC&D Councils (the New York Federation of Resource Conservation and Development Councils) have assisted the Venison Donation Coalition since its inception. They are the accounting arm of the coalition and assist the Venison Donation Coalition with the collection and distribution of funds to coordinate the collection, processing and distribution of the donated venison.
In 2005, even with a 20 percent decline in the deer take, the VDC processed 75,695 pounds of venison and distributed it in 50 counties throughout New York.
New York's venison donation program has been a success because of the generosity of the people. Anyone can donate financially to the Venison Donation Coalition simply by stopping by your Town Clerk's Office and donating one dollar or more at DECALS (Dept. of Environmental Conservation Automated License System).
Because donated deer must be professionally processed, the VDC coordinates a program where legally tagged and properly field-dressed deer can be taken to participating processors, at no cost to the hunter or farmer.
Among New York state counties, St. Lawrence County ranked fourth highest in the state for selling DEC licenses.
In 2005, DEC established a Venison Donation campaign where a donation of $1 fed four people, called "4 for a buck program." During the first year, DEC collected $24,500 statewide.
MCI service (online sales) collected $10,000 in donations, while the remainder was collected by town clerks. The Massena Town Clerk's office was the top office in the state for collecting $612 in donations.
For a complete listing of the partners who have volunteered time, services and support, visit their Web site at www.VenisonDonation.com. You can even donate dollars online.
