Hunters across East Texas can donate harvested white-tailed deer this season through the annual Hunters for the Hungry program. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partners in the program and covers processing costs. Donated venison is distributed across the East Texas Food Bank's 26-county service area.
David Emerson of the East Texas Food Bank said meat is one of the hardest items for the food bank to get. He said 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children in East Texas face food insecurity. Donated deer are deboned, ground and frozen for distribution.
Game Warden Chris Swift urged hunters to follow tagging rules, check regulations in the Texas Outdoor Annual and keep meat clean on ice. Todd Lindsey, vice president of TFB Country Store, said hunters should not waste the meat.