Effingham County Hunters Donate Deer Meat to Hungry

Effingham County is trying to keep the food bank shelves full in a different way... while they still rely on food drives they're now asking area hunters for help.
News Three’s Alice Massimi has more on the program.

During the weekends and late at night throughout hunting season ... you are bound to find Van Horton in his “workshop.”
It's far from a glamorous job ... but the reason Van spends so much time out here... isn't because of the money.
“A lot of hunters that donate have already filled their freezers up, they still enjoy hunting. The limits are up now so they love to hunt but don't have a place for the meat,” explains Horton.
So they donate it and Van processes it for free.
It's all part of a program called Hunters for Hunger.
Packed into 1 pound bags... Van gives all the deer meat to area food banks.
“Probably 6 to 7 pounds so far and we've got more in the cooler now and some we are fixing to do now,” points out Van.
The freezers that normally hold venison at one of 5 food banks in Effingham is empty, a testament to it’s popularity. It’s why Van is urging hunters to donate a deer if they can.
Archie Jenkins who oversees the Food Outreach Co-Op of Effingham says the venison doesn't just taste great...it's healthy.
“The venison is a good source of protein. It's a good source of meat and meat is sometimes hard to come by for a food pantry,” explains Jenkins.
The Food Outreach Co-op of Effingham is also working with area farmers.
Vegetables that they can't sell at stores or ship out because of cosmetics....they are now donating to the food bank.
Van is happy to help... saying it's the least he can do.
“Do everything you can to help people...its hard times we are all going through hard times,” says Van.
For more information on the program call Van Horton at 912-754-9791