Generous hunters are making a difference by donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program. This initiative, sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section, has been providing needy families across West Virginia with thousands of pounds of nutritious venison for 32 years.

Hunters Helping the Hungry makes a difference!

2022 Totals

Total Deer Donated: 681

Total Pounds of Meat: 24,580

Meals Provided: 32,774

Cost: $46,703.84

Since 1992

Total Deer Donated: 28,826

Total Pounds of Meat: 1,095,084

Meals Provided: 1,472,162

Cost: $1,604,239.04

Impact and Success of Hunters Helping the Hungry Program

Since its inception, Hunters Helping the Hungry has processed more than 28,000 deer, resulting in more 1 million pounds of highly nutritious meat being distributed to families and individuals in need. This vital program relies on the generosity of hunters, financial contributors, and participating processors.

How Hunters Helping the Hungry Works

For Hunters: Participating hunters bring their deer to designated processors, who grind, package and freeze the venison. The Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway and Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, both Feeding America members, distribute the venison to more than 600 charitable food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters and more.

For Meat Processors: Participating processors need to be certified with either the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Once certified, contact Trevor Moore at 304-924-6211 and send an email with a copy of your certificate to trevor.m.moore@wv.gov. Once approved, processors can begin receiving and storing meat for pick up. Processors are reimbursed at a rate of $3 per pound.

2023 Hunters Helping the Hungry Meat Processors

ProcessorCountyAddressPhoneContact
Puckett’sHarrison8962 Good Hope Pike, Lost Creek, WV 26385304-709-0247Doyle Puckett
Hill Country MeatsMarion75 Coons Hollow Road, Fairmont, WV 26554304-612-2168Leonard Martin
D & K Custom CuttingTaylor1686 Veterans Memorial Highway, Flemington, WV 26347304-739-2686Danny Casto
Syrews Custom ButcheringLewis114 Louise Street, Weston, WV 26452304-269-1290Tom Syrews
Teet’s Meat PackingRandolphCraven’s Run Road, Elkins, WV 26241304-636-9748Jamie Andrews
Milam’s Custom Meat ProcessingKanawha554 Lick Branch Road, Charleston, WV 25312304-776-3337Adam Milam
S & J Custom MeatsKanawha2441 Fisher Branch Road, Charleston, WV 25312304-776-9166Jim Sayre
Mauk’s, LLCLogan1485 Crooked Creek Road, Peach Creek, WV 25639304-687-7950Stephen Mauk
Call’s Meat MarketPutnam3550 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, WV 25526681-233-4444Leanne Call
Wolfe SlaughterhouseJackson314 Evansview Road, Ripley, WV 25271304-372-6025Wayne Wolfe
Slider’s Processing and Smoked MeatsWood9791 Southern Highway, Rockport, WV 26169304-474-3471Shawn Slider

Supporting Hunters Helping the Hungry

While Hunters Helping the Hungry has immense potential to make a difference, the program’s costs have averaged $43,343.36 over the past seven years. Because the WVDNR is unable to use license funds, the Hunters Helping the Hungry program is completely reliant on individuals, businesses, conservation organizations, foundations and churches for support.

Key Fundraising Events

Governor’s One-Shot Hunt
Since 2007, this antlerless deer hunt provides both venison and funding for the program.

Share the Harvest Sunday
Held annually by the West Virginia Council of Churches on the first Sunday in November, this event sees approximately 3,000 churches encouraging their congregations to donate any amount they can afford to the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program.

How to Contribute to Hunters Helping the Hungry

Individuals, churches, organizations and businesses can help sustain the HHH Program through generous monetary donations. Checks and money orders should be made out to Hunters Helping the Hungry and sent to:

Hunters Helping the Hungry
WV Division of Natural Resources
163 Wildlife Road
French Creek, WV 26218

For further inquiries, please contact Trevor Moore at 304-924-6211 or Trevor.M.Moore@wv.gov.

Hunters Helping the Hungry 5-Year Annual Report

20182019202020212022
Processors1718171612
Deer Donated685679500579681
Pounds of Venison23,65923,38520,10423,80724,580
*Total Cost$48,032.35$45,266.89$38,197.98$45,233.84$46,703.84
*Processing and distribution costs vary year-to-ear due to the annual harvest and number of deer donated to the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program.