#Wyostrong stories, brought to you by Wyoming Community Bank, highlight Wyoming perseverance, ingenuity, creativity, and resilience.
(Lander, WY) – Local nonprofit Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry (H4H) program provided 3,245 meals to Wyoming residents in need last year.
This grassroots effort launched in 2018 to connect hunters and meat processors with charitable food organizations in Wyoming to provide wild game meat for those in need. Donations of deer, elk, moose, antelope, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and bison are all accepted.
One of the biggest hurdles WWF experienced in 2020 was the increase in chronic wasting disease (CWD), shared WWF Director of Communications Jaden Bales. Deer, elk, and moose are all possible carriers and need to be tested prior to processing or the meat cannot be donated.
In addition to navigating CWD issues, WWF manages the program on a “shoestring budget.” Their largest expense being the meat processing fees. Hunters and processors donating the fees along with support from organizations and businesses have helped H4H grow.
WWF hopes to continue growing statewide and are looking to connect with more hunters (including outfitters), processors, and charitable food organizations who would like to be involved in the program.
The entire animal does not have to be donated, it can be portioned out. In addition, those uncertain about how to get their deer, elk, or moose tested for CWD can reach out to WWF for more information.
Click here to learn more about the program and to see the current processors and distribution locations.
