Article published September 29, 2009
Growing program helps hunters feed the hungry
A $100,000 subsidy grant has been awarded to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry by the Ohio Division of Wildlife to help pay the processing fees on venison donated to food banks.
The grant money is to be matched with funds generated or collected by FHFH. It is the second year that the wildlife division is supporting the effort as an additional deer management tool, helping wildlife managers encourage hunters to kill more does.
"I became the first Ohio local FHFH coordinator in 2002 and since then the number of chapters has risen to 27," said Allen Dunlap, Northwest Ohio FHFH. "Our volunteer organization can still use help since a large part of the state is without coordinators or meat processors."
Individuals interested in becoming a local Ohio FHFH coordinator or in becoming a participating meat processor should visit the "Local FHFH" page at fhfh.org.
The current list of coordinators along with their program names and the counties they are serving can be found there.
Prospective volunteers or meat processors can contact an existing coordinator to discuss time commitment or any other questions about becoming a FHFH coordinator or meat processor.Responsibilities of a local coordinator include organizing a network with at least one inspected, insured meat processor to cut, package, and freeze the donated deer and one food bank or feeding ministry to distribute the meat to the hungry.
Other duties include developing a fund-raising plan to cover the meat and other local program expenses and promoting the program so that
people can learn about FHFH and become involved as supporters or volunteers.
FHFH will help select some fund-raising events and projects to work on. Individuals, businesses, churches, clubs and other organizations also can be directly contacted for support.
FHFH began in Maryland in 1997 after founder Rick Wilson encountered a woman along a Virginia highway looking for help loading a road-killed deer into her car to feed her children.
Inspired to give hunters the opportunity to help feed the hungry, Wilson formed a program that would raise money to pay the butchering bills for hunters that donate deer.
Now over a decade old, FHFH has grown to include 140 local coordinators in 29 different states.
Annual meat donation totals have topped 319,000 pounds - enough to provide meat for over 1.27 million meals - and are expected to increase even further in the coming years.
In related news, Whitetails Unlimited is hosting the Maumee Valley Hunters Night Out on Friday at Holland Gardens, 6530 Angola Rd., Holland. Proceeds are to support venison processing locally for FHFH.
The evening features a buffet dinner, auction, drawings, and prizes. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. For ticket call Allen Dunlap at 419-913-3411, visit whitetails unlimited.com, or call WTU's Dennis Malloy at 866-988-3337.
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Individuals interested in trapping at Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area for the upcoming season can view the eight available units on Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each unit will be bid separately.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife will hold a public bid opening on Oct. 13 at the Magee check station located on the wildlife area, 13229 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.
Interested bidders may enter their bids in person or mail them to the same address. All bid packages must be received prior to 3 p.m. on Oct. 13. For other details call Magee 419-898-0960.
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The following results are posted from the various competitions at the annual Lake Erie Waterfowl Festival:
Ohio state duck calling champion, Ronnie Smith, Ravenna, Ohio; Ohio regional duck calling champion, Buddy Louck, Illinois.
Ohio state and Ohio open goose calling champions, Jimmy Wren, Port Clinton, and Kile Jones, Michigan.
Maumee Carvers competition, junior decoy champion under 12, Jared Goetz, Rocky River, Ohio; junior decoy champion over 12, Joseph Beal, Amhurst, Ohio; Lake Erie three-bird rig, best of show, Dennis Williams, Southfield, Mich; Lake Erie single, best of show, Gary Hanson, Eastpointe, Mich.
Also, hunting decoy (IWCA style) open, best of show, Jim Brace, Liberty Township, Ohio; hunting decoy (IWCA style) novice division, best of show, Luke Costilow, Amherst, Ohio; It Ain't Antique Yet division, best of show, Chris Andrews, Magnolia, Tex.; shorebird, best of show, Gary Joe Bryan, Nashport, Ohio.
The best of show It Ain't Antique Yet will be displayed at the Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area's Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center until show time next year.
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The Ohio Wetlands Exhibit or paintins and photographs opened over the weekend at the American Gallery, 6600 Sylvania Ave. at McCord Road, Sylvania, featuring a wid array of work by 15 artists, including Sylvania's renowned Harold Roe.
The exhibit will run through Oct. 30. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 419-882-8949.
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On the weekend - A workshop, "The sacred hunt, sustainable culture, and indigenous wisdom," 6 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday, Angel House, Strongsville, Ohio, by Randall Eaton, internationally renowned authority in animal behavior, human evolution, and wildlife conservation; call 513-244-2826, visit randalleaton.com, or call Angel House 440-846-1789.
Saturday, Fish Huron Walleye Challenge, 60-boat event, Huron; call Doug Studer 419-602-0819, or visit fishhuronohio.com.
Contact Steve Pollick at:
spollick@theblade.com
or 419-724-6068.
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