New local chapter of hunting organization aims to feed the hungry

  • By Dave Mast of The Bargain Hunter
  • October 12, 2009
  • 772
                        
While the thrill of the hunt and the adrenaline rush deer hunters get when zeroing in on a prize buck are alluring, this year in Holmes County there will be another reason to get out the crossbow or the rifle and head to the woods for the hunt. Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) is a national organization that focuses on using donated deer meat to feed needy families. As deer season begins this fall, Holmes County hunters will have an opportunity to be a part of this unique outreach ministry while enjoying their passion to hunt. FHFH was founded in 1998 by Rick Wilson, a Hagerstown, Md., art teacher. FHFH provides processing fees for Christian Missions Network of Brothers, venison processors and nonprofit food charities throughout the United States. Currently, in Ohio, there are nearly three dozen chapters. Last year, in Ohio, there were 1,192 deer processed, providing 57,989 pounds or 231,956 servings, of which 1,000 pounds were delivered to the Love Center in Millersburg. This year, with FHFH having established a new chapter specific to Holmes County, the hope is that donations will skyrocket. The new Holmes County chapter is being headed up by Dustin Taylor of Millersburg. “This is such a worthwhile program,” said Taylor. “It’s a tremendous outreach ministry in our community, and since I enjoy hunting, it seemed like a great way to get involved. This is the perfect time for hunters to get involved, too, since deer season is kicking into high gear.” Taylor said that with the state increasing the number of deer that may be harvested by hunters during the upcoming bow and gun hunting seasons, there could be plenty of deer donations in a county which is well-known for its deer hunting. The cost of bringing a deer in to donate to the program is absolutely nothing. If an entire animal is donated to one of the drop sites, all processing costs will be paid for by the program. And, in this case, all of the donated meat finds its way to a food bank located in the county where it was donated, with all Holmes County donations going to the Love Center Food Pantry in Millersburg. “One of the reasons I wanted to get involved with this program was so that all of the meat donated would go to families right here in Holmes County,” said Taylor. Last year, Miller’s Custom Meats in Becks Mills generated more than 1,200 pounds of venison for the program, which was being run out of Coshocton County at the time. Now, with Holmes County beginning its own program, Taylor is hoping that the number grows even larger. “I have no idea how much we could raise if we put our minds to it here in the county, but it could be a pretty amazing thing, and it could help put meat on the tables of needy families,” said Taylor. “I know the people of Holmes County are very giving, and they enjoy helping others. This could be a very big deal to a lot of people in need.” Taylor said that in addition to the deer meat donations, the organization is also in need of monetary gifts, which help pay for the processing of the meat. While Miller’s Custom meat does give the organization a very good deal, there is still a cost in processing the meat. Currently, the Ohio Division of Wildlife is matching gifts to Ohio chapters on a dollar-for-dollar basis. If you contribute to the Holmes County chapter, an additional matching contribution will be made to the Holmes County account by the ODNR. Money raised will stay in Holmes County to pay processing fees for venison that will be used in Holmes County. “That is every bit as important as the donation of venison,” said Taylor. “When our monetary donations run out, so does our ability to donate meat. And with the matching funds, people’s dollars can go a lot farther.” For more information on FHFH, check out www.FHFH.org. FHFH Holmes County Chapter Processing sites in Holmes County and surrounding areas include: Ÿ Miller’s Custom Meats, 5493 County Road 68 in Becks Mills. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (M-Sat.) Ÿ Yoder’s Custom Meats, 7508 Honeytown Road, Fredericksburg. Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (M-F), 7:30-11:30 a.m. (Sat.) Ÿ Beitzel’s Farm and Meat Processing, 5557 Cemetery Hill Road SW, Stonecreek. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open M-Sat. - closed Tues.) Ÿ Olde Village Meats, 175 South State Street, Frazeysburg. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (M-F), 9 a.m. to noon (Sat.) Ÿ Baltic Country Meats, 3457 SR 93, Baltic. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (M-F), open 7:30 a.m. to noon (Sat.)


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