Published: November 03, 2009 10:34 pm      

Food charity gets boost

Not every hunter dropping a buck or doe in a West Virginia forest is banking on a venison supper at some holiday this year.

Many hunters donate their kill to a program launched 17 years ago by the state Division of Natural Resources as a means of putting meat on the tables of needy state residents.

Seven years after Hunters Helping the Hungry began, the West Virginia Council of Churches entered the effort with its Share the Harvest Sunday to raise funds to enable the DNR to have meat processed for delivery to food pantries.

“Most churches that participate did it (Sunday),” said the Rev. Dennis Sparks, head of the Council of Churches. “Some will do it other Sundays. We set a target date. Others will fit it on their calendar at a better time for them.”

The idea is for churches to use a special donation that helps defray the cost of processing.

“Obviously, the hunger need is big this year,” Sparks said. “It has continued to increase over the last several years. More and more people are finding their ways to various food pantries, whether they’re part of a church, or whether they’re part of a secular organization.”

In advance of Sunday’s special collection, some 3,000 churches were asked by the DNR to seek donations of $1, $5 or whatever amount worshippers could afford, according to Jerry Westfall, coordinator for the Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

Westfall acknowledged that some churches likely were below the DNR’s radar and reminded individual West Virginians they can donate any time online at www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm, or by calling Billie Shearer at 304-558-2771.

Hunters may reach certified processor locations at billieshearer@wvdnr.gov.

“We accept these donations throughout the year,” Westfall said. “Without the continued financial assistance of churches, hunters and the general public, together with the generous deer donations of some hunters, this program cannot continue.”

Several weeks, if not months, could pass before the DNR has an idea of how much money was put into the special Sunday donation.

“We’re entirely dependent on monetary donations from individuals, churches, businesses and organizations to support the Hunters Helping the Hungry program,” Westfall said. “We’re restricted. We cannot use hunting license dollars to support the program.”

Sparks voiced gratitude to all churches that devoted part of their Sunday worship the past weekend, and those that plan to do so in the weeks ahead, to raising money for the program.

“We’re simply here to nudge it on,” he added.

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com