The Illinois Deer Donation Program returns for its third donation season as “Hunters Feeding Illinois.” The name change is a reflection of an expanded partnership among Feeding Illinois, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network, and University of Illinois Extension.
Hunters Feeding Illinois has the same mission: to connect hunters, meat processors, and food pantries and support access to lean protein for Illinois residents and families. The expanded partnership covers 16 counties in east-central Illinois and 16 counties in southern Illinois. The southern territory includes Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White, and Williamson counties.
Like previous years, hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost. Partnering meat processors are prepared to accept donated deer with the start of deer hunting season in October. Because processing volume increases throughout the season, hunters are encouraged to call processors in advance to confirm they have slots to accept deer. Processors have a select number of slots for donated deer, which becomes more limited as the season continues.
The following area meat processors will be accepting deer donations:
Blair’s Slaughtering and Processing in Louisville
Salt and Strings in Louisville
Birkner’s Processing in McLeansboro
To donate, read more about the program, find a list of partnering meat processors, and more, visit Hunters Feeding Illinois, and follow the program on Facebook to see local impact throughout the season.
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