300 deer harvested for 50 food pantries through Illinois Deer Donation Program

Simmy Wood
·1 min read

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — More than 12,000 pounds of deer were harvested for Illinois Extension’s 2023-2024 Illinois Deer Donation Program.

Food pantries often struggle to obtain frozen meat. With the help of partners and sponsors, the U of I program helps supply fresh venison meat for free.

This season, more than 300 deer were harvested from 16 counties and distributed to 50 food pantries across East and Central Illinois. Now, nearly 49,000 protein-packed meals can go to individuals and families in need.

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“Food pantries are receiving lean ground meat, which was sparse previously,” SNAP-Ed Educator Tracy Bowden said. “This is an amazing program which connects hunters, meat processors, food pantries, and the communities we serve. This venison donation program helped feed thousands of families.”

To learn more about the Deer Donation Program, visit go.illinois.edu/deerdonation and follow the program’s Facebook page.

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