Every year, Tennesseans facing food insecurity receive much-needed protein through Hunters for the Hungry. Each deer donated by generous hunters provides food for someone in need. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, this need within Tennessee communities is even more apparent.
For more than 25 years, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program has partnered with deer hunters, certified wild game processors, and food banks to provide fresh, lean protein for Tennesseans in need.
A Common Goal
The past two years have seen record-breaking venison donations as hundreds of partners came together for one goal: fight hunger in Tennessee.
According to Feeding America, one in seven Tennesseans are facing hunger, including one in six children. Supplying protein is one of the biggest costs for food banks and other hunger relief organizations. Venison donated to food banks through Hunters for the Hungry helps supplement these protein needs.
With the help of outdoorsmen and women and other community supporters, Hunters for the Hungry will continue to make lasting impacts on local food banks and the Tennesseans they serve. In the 2024-25 season, Hunters for the Hungry is set to reach all-time donations of:
- 50,000 whole deer donated, and
- 10,000,000 servings of venison to Tennesseans in need.
Ways to Support
Supporting Hunters for the Hungry is easy—anyone who wants to help feed members of their community can get involved.
For Hunters
The most direct way to support is by donating a deer through a participating processor. More than 60 wild game processors in Tennessee partner with Hunters for the Hungry, offering their time, money, and services to give back to their neighbors in need. These processors play a vital role, ensuring the donated meat is carefully processed and packaged for safe consumption. Donated venison is then distributed from each processor to hunger relief organizations in neighboring communities.
To donate a deer, hunters bring a field dressed deer to a participating processor free of charge, confirm the harvest confirmation number and other contact information, and the processor takes care of the rest. Deer donations can also be made by the pound or pack (excluding Unit 1).
For Community Members
When a deer is donated, the cost of processing the deer is covered by Hunters for the Hungry. That means monetary donations are a vital part of keeping this program running.
Each donation to Hunters for the Hungry helps ensure the deer protein provided by generous hunters can make it to the people who need it most.
Just $60 can provide 168 servings of lean, venison protein to hungry Tennesseans in every corner of the state. Donate at tnwf.org/hungry.
Tennessee Wildlife Federation is hitting the road in style this year to spread the word about Hunters for the Hungry and ways to help feed Tennessee communities—powered by Mountain View Ford, Quality Tire Pros, and Athens Insurance.
If you see us on the road, tag us on Facebook and Instagram @TNWildlifeFederation
Featured image by Stacey Reid
