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Hunters Feeding Illinois provides
97,000 meals to Illinois families
[March 21, 2025]
URBANA, Ill. — In the 2024-2025 hunting
season, Hunters Feeding Illinois distributed 25,794 pounds of
frozen, ground venison to 54 food pantries across east-central and
southern Illinois. This provided an estimated 97,000 meals, reaching
nearly 49,800 families.
Formerly the Illinois Deer Donation Program, Hunters Feeding
Illinois expanded this year with new partners and increased
coverage. Illinois SNAP-Education brought together partners,
including Feeding Illinois, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network,
Access Illinois Outdoors, and University of Illinois Extension, to
create a statewide network.
Food pantries in 44 east-central and southern Illinois counties were
included in the potential donation area, with 54 food pantries in
the following counties receiving meat this year: Champaign, Clark,
Clay, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Effingham, Fayette, Handcock,
Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Perry, Randolph, Schuyler,
Shelby, Union, Washington, and Woodford.
We are excited to broaden our reach this year, increasing access to
lean protein for Illinois families. Local collaborations are the key
to our success, and we are grateful to everyone who supports the
program, including hunters, meat processors, food pantries, donors,
and coalitions,” shared Senior Manager of Policy Systems and
Environment for University of Illinois SNAP-Education Kaitlyn
Streitmatter.
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Executive Director of Feeding Illinois Steve Ericson had this to
say about the value of the program, “The Hunters Feeding
Illinois Program and associated partnerships have increased the
supply of invaluable, nutritious protein to many of our
community food pantries, while also supporting Illinois' local
meat processors and offering an easy opportunity for hunters to
help us feed our state's hungry neighbors."
To support the program for the next hunting season, visit
go.illinois.edu/deerdonation and on Facebook at Hunters Feeding
Illinois.
[Text received from Caitlin Mellendorf
Nutrition and wellness educator
University of Illinois Extension]
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