With the second week of Minnesota’s whitetail season underway, the Becker County Food Pantry is reminding hunters that their extra deer can go a long way in feeding local families this holiday season.
Alyssa Moore with the Becker County Food Pantry joined KDLM’s Hodgepodge to highlight the Hunter Harvested Deer Donation Program — a resource that becomes especially important as food costs rise and SNAP benefits tighten.
“We really appreciate being able to get venison,” Moore said. “Any kind of proteins are always very much needed and appreciated.”
Through the program, hunters who tag an extra deer can donate it by bringing a gutted carcass to Hoffman’s Meat Market in Detroit Lakes. Hoffman’s processes the venison at no cost to the hunter. From there, the meat is shipped to the regional food bank in East Grand Forks, where it is x-rayed for safety and then distributed to food shelves across northwest Minnesota.
Moore said Becker County typically receives “many, many hundreds of pounds of venison” each season and that clients specifically ask when the shipments will arrive.
“It’s a much-anticipated thing for us,” she said. “We really appreciate all those extra deer that hunters have on hand, and we really appreciate Hoffman’s for participating in this program.”
Hunters wishing to donate simply need to drop off their gutted deer at Hoffman’s during business hours. The program runs through the fall hunting seasons.
Moore added that with the holidays approaching and demand increasing, every donation makes a meaningful difference.
“Venison is an incredible source of protein for families who need it,” she said. “We’re grateful for any contribution the community can make.”