Some Illinois hunters are helping needy families by donating at least part of their deer harvest. It's done through Sportsmen Against Hunger. The program is sponsored by the state's Department of Natural Resources.
Mike Frost of Mike's Market in Louisville has been processing deer for more than 25 years. He says about 20 percent of the hunters who come to him for processing donate at least some of their deer to the program.
The ground deer meat is distributed to food pantries, like one at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Altamont.
Pantry supervisors Jim and Linda Wente say they recently picked up 1,300 pounds of ground venison through the program. More than 50 families who visited Saturday got up to five packages of venison.
Il hunters donating part of their deer harvest
