Hunters Sharing the Harvest

 

MILFORD – The Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program is in its 15^th year and hunters can participate to supply venison to food banks in Pike & Monroe Counties by donating a whole or portion of a deer and minimal financial contribution toward processing costs.

Hunters can donate a deer to the HSH program at one of these processors:

Pike County

Prime Time Meats on Routes 6 & 209 in Milford, 570-296-6064; Brad's "All American" Bear and Deer Butcher Shop, 107 Fowler Lane, 6 Miles West of Milford, 570-296-8672 or cell phone 914-443-2362; and HLF & Sons Butcher Shop, 1 Old Schoolhouse Rd. in Greentown, 570-676-9452.

Monroe County

Haydt's Meat Market at R.R. 5, Box 5327 in Kunklestown, 610-681-4125; and Martinell's Deer Processing at R.D.1, Box 365 in Tannersville, 570-629-3852.

Pike & Monroe County HSH Coordinator John Crerand encourages hunters to participate in the statewide efforts to channel venison donated by successful hunters to hungry families in the community. Through the HSH program, donated deer meat is given to local food banks.

Crerand, in his volunteer position, manages the venison-sharing program in Pike and Monroe Counties to coordinate distribution of meat to food banks and contacting area meat processors and butchers, who play an important part in the donation project. The experienced meat cutters prepare and package the meat under sanitary conditions for food bank use.

The program operates in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Both agencies provide funds to help HSH pay for processing whole deer.

With the cost of processing underwritten, hunters could donate their second or third deer to the program. Hunters pay the first $15 to the meat processor when dropping off their deer to help defray cutting and packaging costs of their donated whole deer. Or, hunters can pay the total cost of processing and donate a portion of the meat.

Hunters and others interested in feeding the hungry can also donate "A Buck for the Pot" to help pay whole-deer processing costs.

Hunters from area hunting clubs, service groups and individuals are encouraged to donate venison or cash to the HSH project.

The HSH venison-sharing project was initiated in 1991 by Pennsylvanians for the Responsible Use of Animals (PRUA). PRUA is a coalition of Pennsylvania associations and individuals representing agriculture, biomedicine, entertainment, sports and hunting groups. The umbrella organization encourages humane treatment of animals used for food, clothing and biomedical research, sport and entertainment.

For more information about the HSH program or to inquire about making donations, contact Crerand at 570-686-7611, by email tacco@ptd.net, or visit the website www.QDMAPikeCountyPa.com hosted by the Pike County Quality Deer Management Association.

 

 

PHOTO CAPTION

Look for this familiar logo on HSH banners at participating food processors. Hunters could donate a second or third deer to the program to help supply meat to local food banks.