A popular program that allows Illinois deer hunters to help feed families in need is returning for its fifth season.
Hunters Feeding Illinois connects hunters, meat processors and local food pantries to provide ground venison to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity throughout Southern Illinois.
The program is a partnership involving Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, the Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network and University of Illinois Extension.
Hunters can donate an entire harvested deer at no cost by taking it to a participating meat processor. The donated deer are processed into ground venison and distributed to area food pantries.
Michelle Fombelle, a food and health systems educator, says approximately one in eight Illinois residents experiences food insecurity, with even greater challenges in many of the communities served by the program.
She says the rising cost of protein makes the program especially valuable for families struggling to afford nutritious meals.
Two participating processors in the area are Blair’s Slaughtering and Processing and Salt and Strings Butchery, both located in Louisville in Clay County.
Hunters are encouraged to contact processors before delivering a deer to confirm availability. Processing slots are limited and may become more difficult to secure as hunting season progresses.
The program is also accepting financial contributions to help cover processing expenses.
Through a partnership with Feeding Illinois, monetary donations are being matched dollar for dollar. A $50 contribution becomes $100, enough to cover the processing cost of one deer.
During the 2025-2026 hunting season, Hunters Feeding Illinois distributed 40,712 pounds of ground venison to 43 food pantries across east-central and Southern Illinois.
Organizers hope to continue that success this season by encouraging hunters throughout Wayne, Clay, Edwards, Richland, White, Hamilton and surrounding counties to participate.
Those interested in making a financial contribution or learning more about the program can visit go.illinois.edu/deerdonation.
Additional information is available by emailing Huntersfeeding-IL@illinois.edu.