During this season of Thanksgiving, hunger is of utmost concern among many in the Pine Belt. It’s estimated that some 400,000 Mississippians live below the poverty level and are recipients of food each year.
No one knows that more than the approximately 1,400 household clients who benefit from the Edwards Street Fellowship Center’s food pantry in Hattiesburg every month.
But thanks to the Hunter’s Harvest program, Edwards Street is reaping the benefits of local donations.
Hunter’s Harvest works with deer hunters and participating processors from across the state to provide a network for the donation, processing and distribution of venison harvested by Mississippi sportsmen.
Strick’s Deer Processing in Hattiesburg and Old River Road Deer Processing in Petal are working to help process the kills that are donated in the Pine Belt.
Paul Ott served as former MWF board president and is a member of the MWF Hall of Fame. The Carruth Legacy Fund was established to help underwrite the costs of the Hunter’s Harvest Program.
According to Joshua Friedel, MWF Outreach and Development coordinator, one deer harvested equals 140 meals.
And with more than 280,000 deer being harvested every year in the state, a lot of people who might go hungry benefit greatly.
“This program provides a tremendous opportunity to make a difference with your harvest,” said Friedel. “It also helps manage the state’s deer population.”
According to Ann McCullen, executive director of Edwards Street, the Hunter’s Harvest program is an incredible blessing to food pantry clients, and to the mission center.
“The clients often tell us how much they enjoy eating deer meat,” said McCullen. “They appreciate the fact that venison is lower in fat and calories than some other meats, and they like the flavor it adds to their favorite dishes.”
For the food pantry at Edwards Street, the gift of meat is incredible. The pantry has a standard format for the items placed in each food bag – rice, beans, vegetables, fruit, soup, and meat.
“Of course, meat is pretty expensive, especially when you consider that we distribute nearly 3,000 bags of food every month,” said McCullen. “So this popular healthy deer meat is a tremendous gift for us.”
For Jimmy Smith, who has worked at Edwards Street’s back door for more than 10 years handing food bags to clients, he’s been getting a lot of questions about the meet.
"Have y'all got that deer meat today?" they ask me. “They are always excited to receive deer meat. Many people say it's their favorite type of meat.”
Another client said his family enjoys the Hunter’s Harvest deer meat in many of their regular recipes.
“We like to eat it for breakfast with our eggs, but our very favorite use is in red beans and rice,” the client said.
Every Edwards Street food pantry bag contains a pound of rice and a pound of dried beans, so this is a way to add more protein and taste to their meal, according to McCullen.
Friedel says that contributions in the Pine Belt area stay local. “All of the processors works within their local community to ensure the donated venison benefits the community in which they reside,” he said.
The Wildlife Federation can also provide freezers for storage and provide packaging for donation venison at no cost. Friedel said in many communities, churches or local civic clubs sponsor the Hunter’s Harvest program.
“We have the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of so many people across Mississippi,” he said.
Hunters can also choose to donate a pound or two of ground venison when they pick up their processed order. The participating processors will take the donation and store them until distributed by the Mississippi Food Network.
There are certain requirements which must be met for those donating meat to be processed.
“The Hunter’s Harvest program is a terrific example of the spirit of generosity and compassion for which Mississippians are so well-known,” McCullen said. “Look at all these groups coming together – the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, the Mississippi Food Network, meat processors across the state, and of course, lots and lots of good-hearted deer hunters. Everyone's working together to take care of neighbors in need. It's what Mississippians do, and it makes you proud to be part of such a caring community.”
McCullen said here in the Hattiesburg area they are blessed for the help of the local processors.
“We can't give enough praise to Strick's and Old River Road processors for the extra time and manpower they invest in this program,” she said. “They don't have to participate in Hunter’s Harvest, but they do so with joy, and that speaks volumes about their character as business people. Our food pantry clients are certainly grateful to everyone who makes Hunter’s Harvest possible."
For more information about supporting Hunter’s Harvest, visit mswildlife.org or call (601) 605-1790.
