Hunger Challenge

Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunger Challenge is a point- based competition among high school clubs not only raises critical funds to help feed hungry families, but also serves as an educational experience for students. By participating, students gain important skills in leadership, club-building, humanitarianism and philanthropy.

Students earn points for their club by participating in various activities: volunteering, fundraising, and donating deer to Hunters for the Hungry. At the end of the Challenge, the club with the most points is named the state champion and has the honor of displaying the Hunger Bowl trophy in their school for the next year. In addition, regional champions are named and get to display the regional championship trophies in their school for a year. State and regional champions receive a plaque to permanently hang in the school, celebrating their win.

The Hunger Challenge runs from May 2017 through January 2018. However, the fundraising portion of the Challenge ends December 31, 2017.

The Hunger Challenge is intended for schools to compete against one another as well as for students to gain a better understanding about what hunger looks like in their community and how they can make a difference. We strongly encourage your Hunger Challenge club to tour your local food agency by the end of September, or within the first two months of establishing a club. Tennessee Wildlife Federation can assist in setting up tours.

Each school club is required to have an active advisor to oversee the club and act as the liaison between the students and the Federation. A point tracker is in the back of this guidebook to help advisors keep up with their club’s points. Advisors need to update the document every two weeks and provide a copy to Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

Above all, the Federation wants students learn about hunger while challenging themselves through this friendly competition.

Hunger Challenge clubs earn points through fundraising, volunteerism, and deer donations. The following pages detail how to earn points in each of these categories. At the end of the Challenge, these points are weighted to determine the club’s final score.

Fundraising is a crucial element for Hunters for the Hungry and the Hunger Challenge. All monetary donations made to HFTH are tax deductible. Each club is encouraged to set a goal of raising $1,000, which will provide approximately 1,800 meals.

The funds your club raises help cover processing deer donated in your county as well as support program logistics. Each processor has agreed to process a donated deer at a discounted rate. The money raised through the Hunger Challenge allows hunters to donate deer free of charge.

Advisors are responsible for collecting, recording, and keeping up with funds raised by the students. At the end of every other week, the advisor should send the funds the club has raised to Tennessee Wildlife Federation. Our staff will keep a record of what money has been received.

Note: The fundraising portion has an earlier cutoff date than others to make sure deer processors receive funds needed for their work. Fundraising must be complete by December 31, 2017 and funds in Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s possession by January 4, 2018. Funds received after this date will count next season.

Clubs can come up with their own creative ways to raise funds. A few go-to options include:

• Kickoff Sponsorship – Each club is encouraged to find a community club sponsor(s) that will make an early season gift. Sponsorship donations can be in any amount, ranging from $100, $500, $1,000, or more! Every sponsorship donation makes hitting your club goal more attainable and encourages your students.

• General Giving – Students can raise money through general giving. They can simply go out and solicit financial support from individuals or businesses. Students should make it clear that all financial donations are tax deductible.

• Events – From cookouts to car washes to banquets, events are great ways to raise funds while igniting the entrepreneurial side of students.

Hunters for the Hungry works because many people volunteer a little in order to accomplish something big! Our hope is Hunger Challenge clubs will be part of that culture of giving time.

The entire club does not have to be present to volunteer. Every volunteer activity that students participate in will need verification from the advisor. Verification should include:

• Date
• Activity description
• Approximate start and end times of students’ participation

HFTH Venison Delivery (where applicable) – Clubs can volunteer by picking up meat that has been processed by a HFTH processor and delivering it to their local food bank or pantry.

Purpose: To reduce the burden on the processors as well as local food banks and pantries. Both the processors and food pantries really appreciate the service because it saves them valuable time. Also, club members get a firsthand look at the process of hunger relief.

Note: Clubs MUST check with Tennessee Wildlife Federation before scheduling pickups.

Tour & Volunteer at Local Food Banks – Clubs can volunteer at their local food relief organizations, ranging from packing food to serving meals. Food banks and pantries will often give volunteers a behind-the-scenes tour of their operation.

Purpose: To provide area food banks and pantries much needed manpower, while giving students a firsthand look at hunger conditions in their communities.

Note: Tennessee Wildlife Federation can assist club advisors to connect with participating food banks and pantries if needed.

HFTH Display Booth – Clubs can earn volunteer points by creating, displaying, and manning an informational HFTH booth at local retailers, community centers, and public events such as fairs. During this time, students are responsible for distributing information and educating the public about HFTH. Students may also want to have donation jars available to raise money for the program, earning one point for each dollar raised.

Purpose: To support and raise public awareness of the program and hunger in Tennessee.

Note: Some clubs have partnered with a local processor to set up a booth at their shop.

Community Presentation – Another way to earn volunteer points is for students to give presentations about HFTH to other groups in their community. Presenting to groups—from churches to nearby rival schools—will sharpen the students’ communication skills and educate people about HFTH.

A club will earn 300 bonus points if a student presentation to another school results in them agreeing to form a club next year.

Purpose: To provide a method for students to hone their public speaking skills and raise their confidence in group settings. Presenting can also educate the public about what HFTH is and ways to get involved.

Note: An easy-to-follow PowerPoint presentation will be provided that contains talking points, visuals, and statistics.

Hunger Challenge clubs should meet periodically to encourage students to collaborate, plan, and lead. Meetings should cover what students have done already and plan to do in the future, as well as provide an update on the total number of points the team has earned so far.

Clubs should meet at least once a month and meetings should not last more than 20 minutes, unless directed by the advisor.

Purpose: For students to come together and gather thoughts about club participation.

Note: Club Meetings are worth 25 team points per meeting, regardless of the number of students involved.

Meeting minutes (notes) MUST be recorded and submitted to receive points. Minutes should include:

• Date and Time
• Number of students present
• Items discussed
• Advisor signature

Students can either donate deer to HFTH through a participating processor or have someone else make a donation in their name. The hunter donating a whole deer should write the school’s name on the Hunter Receipt at the processor. The Hunger Challenge club should submit a copy of the hunter’s receipt with its points tracker. CLICK HERE for a complete list of processors located throughout the state.

Purpose: This is where it all begins. Hunters donating deer is how we were able to provide nearly 600,000 meals last year alone.

Note: Only whole deer donations earn points in the Hunger Challenge.

Advisors are responsible for being the liaison between Tennessee Wildlife Federation and the Hunger Challenge club. Any problem or question a student has must be voiced through the advisor. Advisors should communicate with the Federation if the club needs help coordinating a volunteer opportunity or educational tour.

Advisors are responsible for collecting, recording, and keeping up with funds raised by students. At the end of every other week, the advisor should send what funds the club
has raised to Tennessee Wildlife Federation (300 Orlando Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209) to the attention of Matt Simcox.

Advisors are required to attend all club meetings to ensure students are actively participating. Advisors must collect meeting notes and approve them with a signature to receive points for those meetings.

Advisors are responsible for keeping up with the club’s points. At the end of the competition, the advisor must approve the point tracker sheet for it to be valid.

Advisors are encouraged, but not required, to attend club functions outside of regularly scheduled meetings. However, advisors must stay in the loop about planned activities and should know the details of each club function.

The Hunger Challenge is designed to be a fun educational experience for students—part of the fun is the competition! There are two types of awards given: team and individual.

Team awards are given to the statewide winner and regional winners. Top teams receive trophies that will be on display at their school for the next year as well as plaques for permanent display.

Two individual awards are given in each of the four regions. Winners receive personalized crystal trophies.