Hunters Feeding Illinois provides 97,000 meals to Illinois families

By Caitlin Mellendorf,

Nutrition and Wellness Educator, University of Illinois Extension

      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 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.

      In partnership with Windy Ridge Processing, Hunters Feeding Illinois brought 200 pounds of ground venison to 6:35 Food Pantry.

“With the high cost of groceries, including meat, we are proud to increase access to lean protein around Illinois.”

      To support the program for the next hunting season, visit go.illinois.edu/deerdonation and on Facebook at Hunters Feeding Illinois.