Hunters Against Hunger Processor Guide
Help provide nutritious, locally sourced venison to Oklahomans in need. Venison processors play a vital role in the Hunters Against Hunger program by processing donated deer and connecting fresh meat with food pantries across the state.
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Kat Smith
You Can Help
THOSE IN NEED
The Hunters Against Hunger program is a cooperative program between hunters, local processors, food pantries and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The program helps provide fresh venison to hungry Oklahomans and families. Be an advocate and help those in need.
History
The Hunters Against Hunger program (HAH) is a statewide program that supports sound deer management while providing quality meals to Oklahoma’s hungry. Hunters who harvest a deer and wish to donate the venison to qualified food banks, may do so through participating venison processors.
Since 2002, the Wildlife Department has paid over $750,000 to participating venison processors across the state. The program is funded by a grant from the Wildlife Restoration Program, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
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700,000+
POUNDS OF VENISON
Since 2002, more than 3/4 of a million pounds of venison has been donated to local food pantries.
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2.8 MILLION
POTENTIAL MEALS PROVIDED
Just one pound of venison can help provide a nutritious meal for a family of four.
How The Program Works
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DEER IS DONATED
Hunters who legally harvest a deer during any current deer season can deliver the deer to a participating Hunters Against Hunger processor.
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VENISON PICKED UP
Processors grind the donated venison and package it in 1-2 pound packages. Processors then contact a participating food pantry to pick up the venison.
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COMPENSATION
Once the processor returns the deer donation form and invoice to the Wildlife Department, they will receive $100 for every deer processed and donated to the program.
A hunter can donate their deer to the HAH program through a participating HAH processor. Hunters are encouraged to donate $10 toward the processing of the deer. This is a voluntary donation from the hunter. A processor cannot charge the hunter for a HAH donated deer. The hunter must complete the hunter donation form and give it to the processor. The processor will keep these for reimbursement.
How to Enroll
All the forms necessary for enrollment and participating in the Hunters Against Hunger program will be filled out online or sent to you by the HAH coordinator.
Vendor/Supplier Portal
Processors must register online before becoming a part of the program.
Donation Form
When a hunter donates a deer they must completely fill out the deer donation form. The bottom portion of the form is given to the hunter and the processor keeps the top portion to accompany the invoice when mailed in to process for payment.
Processors will be reimbursed $100 per deer. The processor will mail the hunter donation forms and invoices signed by the food pantry. Once these forms have been received, the ODWC will process the payment.
Invoice
For processors to receive payment they must fill out an invoice. The invoice is not valid until a food pantry representative completes and signs the bottom portion of the invoice. Processors may have several invoices depending on how many deer were donated and picked up by a food pantry.
Donation and Invoice Forms will be provided to processors once they're set up as a participant through the supplier portal
Invoices can be mailed between January 15 and April 15.
Return forms to:
ODWC
Attn: Tammy St. Yves
P.O. Box 53465
Oklahoma City, Ok 73152
Working with the Food Bank
All deer donated to the HAH program must be donated to pantries registered with Oklahoma food banks. All donated venison will be signed off by the pantry representative.
Scheduling a Pick-Up with a Food Pantry
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma can assist processors to find a local food pantry. Venison processors can also visit regionalfoodbank.org, to access a map showcasing nearby food pantries. By entering your zip code, the map will provide the name, address and contact information for all registered pantries in your area.
Working with the food banks allows Oklahoma’s hunters and deer processors an opportunity to give nutritious, fresh venison to those who are hungry in our state. Several tons of venison are donated annually to food pantries statewide, providing many thousands of nutritious meals.
Connecting with a Food Pantry is Easy
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Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
(918) 585-2800 (Tulsa)
(918) 585-2862 (McAlester)
Contact a pantry registered with the Oklahoma food banks to pick up the venison. A representative of that pantry will pick up the venison and approve how much venison was received by signing the invoice (page 14). There are no limits as to how many times venison can be picked up and more than one pantry can be used.
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ONE IN FOUR CHILDREN
has inconsistent access to healthy food in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma consistently ranks among the hungriest states in the nation. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma are the largest hunger-relief charities in the state. Together, they provide enough food to feed thousands of hungry Oklahomans every week.
We Want to Recognize You
Because it couldn't be done without you
Venison processors who actively participate in the Hunters Against Hunger program will be recognized by the Wildlife Department through various media outlets.
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THANK YOU
Fresh meat continues to be a much needed item in Oklahoma's food pantries. Thanks to our hunters, processors, volunteers and donors we can continue to provide a healthy and sustainable protein source for those in need.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Hunters Against Hunger program helps support our communities across the state. I am proud of Oklahoma's generous hunters and processors who donate their time and resources. Together we can provide locally sourced, healthy and nutritious protein to the Oklahomans who need it the most.