WBAL-TV Highlights AAEDC Venison Food Relief Program on Evening News

December 30, 2021

WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore highlighted Hunt Down Hunger, our venison food relief program that encourages hunters to donate their deer to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, on yesterday evening’s newscast:

Deer hunters can help feed those in need in Anne Arundel County

The segment featured interviews recorded at the food bank with AAEDC President and CEO Ben Birge, who discussed the impetus for and the nuts and bolts of the program, and Anne Arundel County Food Bank CEO Leah Paley, who discussed how it will help meet the growing need for high-quality protein sources among those in need in Anne Arundel County.

Watch the segment here:

Read the full article here:

CROWNSVILLE, Md. — Maryland hunters have a chance to help families in need in Anne Arundel County.

The Hunt Down Hunger program connects hunters to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank to ensure people don’t go hungry.

This year, hunters who hunt in Anne Arundel County can donate their deer. The program was a success last year, so it’s making a comeback.

“We received about 280 deer donated by hunters. We were able to provide not only additional meat to the food bank, but also diversify the protein sources we are able to provide our county’s neediest folks,” said Ben Birge, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp.

Hunters can take their deer to one of the participating processors that will drop the venison at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. will pay for the processor services.

The food bank’s freezer is bare now but will hopefully soon be stocked with meat.

“What’s startling is that there is still such a high demand for food assistance. We were looking at the numbers for the first four months of this fiscal year and comparing that to two years ago, so prior to the pandemic, we’re looking at at least a 90% increase over two years ago,” said Leah Paley, CEO of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

The Anne Arundel County Food Bank partners with 70 pantries around the county where the meat will be distributed. Last year, through this program, the food bank was able to distribute about 6,000 pounds of venison.

To participate, hunters will need to ensure they have all the licenses and permits they need. They’ll also have to check with the landowners and ensure they have permission to hunt at the location. And, they’ll need to follow all Maryland Department of Natural Resources regulations.

According to the DNR, the average deer yields 50 pounds of meat, which comes to just $1 per pound.

How to participate
Deliver the deer to any of the following processors by Feb. 3 to be donated to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

Harwood Butcher (4531 S. Pollinghouse Road, Harwood)
Hitchcock Taxidermy (8261 New Cut Road, Severn)

 

Learn more about the program here:

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