MOUNT VERNON — Deer hunters have had a strong season so far this year, and, along with that, the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program has a been a success this season. The program is aimed at providing excess deer killed to those who need it.
Locally, two processors — Oilers Meat Processing in Utica and Young’s Locker in Danville — are participating in the program. Young’s Locker has had 10 to 12 deer donated to the program this season, while Oilers has been busting at the seams. Linda Oiler has had 133 deer donated, up from the 34 she had last year.
“I really didn’t push this last year; I didn’t advertise it, and I got 34 donations,” said Oiler. “This year, I’ve raised a lot of money for matching funds.”
Those funds are used to pay for the processing of the deer, and covers all costs to the hunter. Hunters who have killed more than they consume can donate their excess deer at no cost; the cost is covered by donations, and the processed meat is then distributed to the needy through food banks, churches and other organizations.
“[Hunters] bring it in and check it in exactly like they were going to keep it for themselves, but they don’t have to pay for anything,” said Oiler. “There is no cost to the person donating it to FHFH. They just have to have the license and permit.
“For farmers that are having problems with crop damage, this is the way to go,” Oiler said. “If they shoot them and bring them in, somebody will get some good out of them.”
Oiler said each deer averages about 40 pounds, and she has processed of 5,000 pounds of meat so far this year. Much has been donated already, but there is still an ample amount available.
“Justin Ross is the coordinator of FHFH for Licking and Delaware counties,” said Oiler. “A lot of people call me and I have them call him. We’ve given a lot away. We’ve given 560 pounds to Interchurch in Fredericktown; we’ve given 1,400 pounds to the Food Network of Licking County; we’ve given 50 pounds to LEADS in Utica; and Justin Ross came from Delaware County and picked up 320 pounds. We get a lot of requests for meat.”
With the extra two-day deer-gun season coming up Saturday and Sunday, Oiler is hoping to add to the total donated. Oiler’s goal this season is 200 deer donated. She recently found out she had the top take in the state of Ohio.
“This has been our biggest year ever,” said Oiler, who has been in business for 35 years. “We were up 155 bow kills heading into gun hunting season. It has been a tremendous year for us.”
FHFH began in 1997 and blossomed from one Maryland County to over half of the states in the nation. Since its inception, FHFH has provided nutritious meat for millions of meals to the food banks and agencies that serve the poor across the country. FHFH is a 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Anyone wishing to donate to FHFH can contact Oiler at 892-2640, or call Ross at (740) 814-2643.
