Since its inception in 1992, generous hunters have donated 13,604 deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program (HHH), which translates into 504,396 pounds of nutritious venison and 630,500 meals for needy West Virginians . In 2004, hunters donated 1,418 deer, 54904 pounds, placing nearly 69,000 meals on the table.

Once again, West Virginia churches, participating in Share the Harvest Sunday donated generously to Hunters Helping the Hungry. Other notable donors for 2004 include the West Virginia Division of Health and Human Resources, the West Virginia Trophy Hunters Association, the National Rifle Association, the West Virginia Bow Hunters Association, the West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundtion and the West Virginia Wildlife Federation.

Additionally, more and more individuals are contributing directly to HHH as they purchase their licenses online. This is a very easy way to support this uniquely beneficial program and demonstrates hunters support for HHH and their concern for the less fortunate.

However, the loss of a federal grant program to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) has resulted in the annual loss of $70,000 to the HHH which must be made up from other donations for HHH to survive. Due to the DHHR grant, sufficient funds were available to cover costs for 2004 program. HHH needs a minimum of $100,000 to operate the 2005 program, let alone expand to processors in additional counties. Groups, businesses and individuals are all encouraged to support this uniquely beneficial program.

For more information concerning the HHH program, visit our website at www.wvdnr.gov or contact Marshall Snedegar at (304)558-2771 or email marshallsnedegar@wvdnr.gov .

Written by Marshall K. Snedegar