Hunters Feeding Illinois is back for its fourth season, working in partnership with Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network, and University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Education. The program connects hunters, meat processors, and food pantries to provide much-needed lean protein to families across Illinois. This year, food pantries in 50 counties are participating.
“Around 1 in 8 people in Illinois struggle to access food, with higher rates in two-thirds of the program coverage area,” said Michelle Fombelle, SNAP-Ed educator. “Protein foods are expensive, and Hunters Feeding Illinois makes it possible for Illinois individuals and families to stretch their food budget.”
University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Education, which originated and led the Hunters Feeding Illinois program, has announced it will end its involvement after this season due to funding cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. No. 119-21). This marks the last season SNAP-Ed will be able to support the program. As in previous years, hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost. Partnering meat processors will accept deer donations beginning with the October hunting season. Due to increasing demand as the season progresses, hunters are encouraged to call ahead to ensure processing slots are available.
The University of Illinois Extension office serving Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne counties has added Hunters Feeding Illinois to its five-county unit this year. Two processors, Charlie’s Deer Processing and Smokehouse in Bridgeport and Legacy Meats in Sumner, will handle donations. The ground venison will be distributed to five local food pantries: Sign of the Kingdom in Sumner, The Master’s Hands in Olney, Giving Hope Olney Food Pantry, The Good Samaritan of Richland County in Olney, and Circle A Servolution in Allendale.
This year, thanks to Feeding Illinois, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar. A $50 donation becomes $100, enough to process one deer. Donations can be made online at donorbox.org/hunters-feeding-illinois, with donors encouraged to note their county for local impact. Checks may be delivered to any participating Extension office or mailed to the Edwards County Extension office at 7 N. Fifth St., Albion, IL 62806.
In the 2024-2025 hunting season, Hunters Feeding Illinois distributed 25,794 pounds of frozen, ground venison to 54 food pantries across east-central and southern Illinois, providing an estimated 97,000 meals to nearly 49,800 families.
For more information, visit go.illinois.edu/HuntersFeedingIllinois, or contact Alizah Harper, SNAP-Ed educator, at the Edwards County Extension office at 618-445-2934.
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