Venison Donation Coalition

Cargill Donates $10,000 to the New York Venison Donation Coalition, Allowing More

Venison to Be Donated to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier 

Southern Tier, NY – The Food Bank of the Southern Tier announces that with the help of a

generous gift, additional pounds of venison can be processed and donated. Cargill Salt, located in Watkins Glen, recently presented the New York Venison Donation Coalition with a $10,000 contribution. The local Cargill facility donated $5,000 and received a matching “Nourishing People Challenge Grant” from Cargill corporate.

“Many of our employees are avid deer hunters,” explained Don Chutas, plant manager for Cargill Salt. “When we heard the Coalition’s financial support was down, we decided this was an important thing to do,” said Chutas. The Venison Donation Coalition, Inc. partners with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier to help those in need. Legally tagged and properly field- dressed deer can be taken to participating processors at NO COST TO THE HUNTER. The venison is then processed and packaged according to the law and picked up by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier for distribution to neighbors in need through a network of soup kitchens and food pantries.

According to Greg Heffner, Coalition President, the Coalition pays an average of $1.40/pound for processing of the donated venison to more than 110 participating meat processors across New York State. An average yield per year during the past six years is 92,397 pounds or $129,356 in processing costs. Heffner explained that one deer provides approximately 160 servings of highly nutritious ground venison to those in need.

In 2008, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier received 9,250 pounds of venison. This also includes farmers who donate to us throughout the year. The Food Bank has received 4,668 pounds of venison year to date. The bulk of the donations start to come in as hunting season is under way.

To learn more about the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and how you can make a difference, visit the Food Bank’s website at www.foodbankst.org or call 607-796-6061.

About the Food Bank
In operation since 1981, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier distributes food and food-related products to people in need through a network of more than 180 hunger-relief agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other non-profit organizations. The Food Bank also has a number of programs that fight hunger including the BackPack Program™ and Mobile Food Pantry. Located in Elmira, NY it is a regional agency of Catholic Charities and an affiliate of Feeding America serving the six counties of Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins.

 For more information contact Melissa Smith,  Community & Public Relations Manager, Food Bank of the Southern Tier (607) 796-6061 x23, mlsmith@feedingamerica.org

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September, 2009: This summer, the Venison Donation Coalition with their venison donation program was at risk of disappearing. They sent out a “Call to Action” to hunters, farmers and citizens of New York State to help feed the hungry. They asked for people to donate one dollar to help pay for the processing of venison. Many answered the call but still donations are down.

     The Food Banks in New York stepped up to the plate and have offered to assist in funding the processing fees. The Food Banks play a tremendous role in the Venison Donation program. Not only are they helping the funding, they pick up the processed venison and distribute it to the soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the state. Without them there would be no program. Don’t forget to thank them and support them in any way you can. The listing for the Food Banks can be found on the Venison Donation Coalition’s website at www.VenisonDonation.com.


     Since 1999, the Venison Donation Coalition has been highly successful in its goal to feed the hungry throughout New York State. They have processed 337.51 tons of highly nutritious venison or the equivalent of 2,700,800 meals served. In order for this program to continue and flourish, the Venison Donation Coalition is seeking financial donations.

     For every dollar that is donated to the Venison Donation Coalition, $.95 is used towards processing the venison.  $105,000 was spent in 2008 on venison processing fees. Donations can be made at your Town Clerk’s office or anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Just inform the D.E.C.A.L.S. licensing agent that you wish to make a donation to support the Venison Donation Program. All donations through D.E.C.A.L.S. are deposited directly into the Venison Donation Fund. Donations can also be accepted through their secure website, www.venisondonation.com or send a check payable to: Venison Donation Coalition, Inc., 415 West Morris Street, Bath, NY 14810.

     Please help to keep the Venison Donation Coalition successful in your neighborhood. Donate today! One dollar goes a long way to help curb hunger throughout New York State.

     The Venison Donation Coalition, Inc. is a non-profit organization that coordinates and funds the efforts of venison processing to feed the hungry throughout New York State. For more information, please call 1-866-862-DEER.

August 18, 2006

It’s as simple as 1-2-3

 

April 27, 2007 –

By Stan Pascco
(Original publication: June 5, 2007)