Thanks to the generosity of local deer hunters and a handful of North Alabama meat processors, the Limestone County Churches Involved food pantry has plenty of venison to share with those in need this time of the year.

“Aside from Thanksgiving time, this is the only other time that we get to give out fresh meat,” Earnest Shipe, program director at LCCI, said.

LCCI participates in Hunters Helping the Hungry, which pairs food banks with meat processors.

“Before the Hunters Helping program got started, hunters who didn’t want the deer would often leave them where they shot them to rot,” Shipe said. “But now, if they don’t want to keep the deer for themselves, they have the option of taking it to one of the participating processors.”

Founded in 1999, the program has donated over 450,000 pounds of ground venison to Alabama’s food banks.

Processors accept unwanted, field-dressed deer throughout the hunting season. The Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation pays them $1 per pound, which Shipe said basically just covers their cost.

“They are really doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, to help the people in their community who might otherwise go hungry,” he added.

Florence Frozen Meats, a processor on South Court Street in Florence, donated about 1,500 pounds of prepared venison to LCCI last week. Shipe expects that the LCCI food pantry will receive a total of about 5,000 pounds of venison from local processors this year.

The volunteer-driven organization will then hand out the venison in portions of up to 5 pounds, along with a box of nonperishable food. He figures they’ll have enough meat to share through the beginning of April.

The food pantry at 201 N. Jefferson St. is open 9–11 a.m. on weekdays. Participants must provide photo identification and proof that their income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.

Limestone County residents can collect food from the pantry four times per year.

“We wish we could help our families every week, but we have to make sure that we have enough for everyone who is in need,” Shipe said.

This time of year is their busiest. On most days, people line up before LCCI’s doors open.

“It’s a tough time, with the holidays and all,” Shipe said. “People don’t have much left after trying to provide Christmas for the kids, others have been laid off after the holidays, some can’t pay their light bill.”

“Having some fresh meat is a big deal to folks,” Shipe added. “You can just tell by the looks on their faces.”

For more information about how to donate unwanted deer, go to www.outdooralabama.com/hunters-helping-the-hungry-program.