news
Building upon the success of the last three years, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Sarah Taylor-Rogers today urged Maryland hunters to continue their support for the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) program, an effort that provided over 450,000 meals around the state in 1999.
Formed in 1997, the FHFH program asks hunters and farmers to donate extra deer they are not planning to consume to the program^s licensed meat processors, who with the financial support of churches, businesses and the hunters themselves join together to distribute the meat to feeding agencies and food pantries across Maryland. During the 1999-2000 hunting season, 58 tons of venison were donated that in turn provided 464,000 individual meals.
"The sole purpose of this program is to feed the hungry, and Maryland^s hunters and farmers have done a spectacular job of helping to do so," Secretary Taylor-Rogers said. "This program not only helps to feed the needy, but it helps the non-hunting general public understand that hunting is a positive, helpful and necessary sport and management tool."
Beginning with the 1999-2000 hunting season, hunters could donate a dollar or more to the program while purchasing their hunting licences. Nearly one-third of the licensed hunters in Maryland donated a total of $43,335 last year.
"Please say yes when asked that question when purchasing your license this year," Secretary Taylor-Rogers said. "If you have any questions or would like to make a donation please call 301-739-3000 or go to the FHFH website at www.fhfh.org."
Formed in 1997, the FHFH collected and distributed two tons of venison that year, all in Washington County. Expanding statewide the following year, the program collected and distributed 27 tons of venison, providing nearly a quarter of a million meals. Last year, DNR and the Wildlife Advisory Commission awarded the FHFH program its Conservationist of the Year Award.
Uploaded: 9/19/2000
Uploaded: 9/19/2000