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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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THE HUNT TO FIGHT HUNGER
ST. PAUL – According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, half a million Minnesota hunters will bring home roughly 200,000 deer this year alone. With opening day for the regular deer season just weeks away, there are a lot of nervous bucks in Minnesota forests, farm fields, and prairies this week. But while hundreds of thousands of hunters gear up for this year's deer hunt, tens of thousands of Minnesotans are in need of assistance from local community food shelf services across the state.
That's why State Representative, and avid sportsman, Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) effectively moved a bill through the legislature last session that provides Minnesota hunters the opportunity to donate deer carcasses to their local food shelves free of charge. Prior to Rep. Hansen's bill, hunters had to pay for processing fees in order to donate their venison.
"There are so many Minnesotans who are dealing with the reality of hunger in communities throughout our state," said Rep. Hansen. "The venison donation program going into effect this year is an effort that will provide deer hunters the hassle-free means to make a tangible difference at the tables of hungry Minnesotans throughout the state this hunting season."
According to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a nonprofit statewide partnership of organizations fighting hunger, Minnesota food shelves had nearly 1.9 million visits in 2006 – up over 5% from the previous year. And while the need for donations at local food shelves is real and mounting, Hansen's new venison donation initiative is expected to produce upwards of 6,000 donated deer from Minnesota hunters annually – providing approximately 200,000 pounds of high quality, high protein meat to be distributed to the state's hungry population.
"This is a great way to make a strong Minnesota tradition, a means for fighting the ugly reality of hunger," said Rep. Hansen.
This new program is a coordinated effort of the DNR and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. These agencies call the program one that "provides an excellent source of protein to people in need while helping reduce local deer populations."
To participate in the program, Minnesota deer hunters can do one of two things: donate a deer carcass, or donate a dollar to the program when buying a deer license this season.
"I strongly encourage all Minnesota hunters to participate in this program," said Rep. Hansen. "In doing so, deer hunters across the state will gain more than just a great hunt, but the opportunity to do their part in the fight against the pervasive problem of hunger in our communities."
Information about how to donate a deer carcass or money can be found on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/donation/index.html. Hunters must have their deer processed at a Minnesota Department of Agriculture-registered meat processing plant that has agreed to participate in the program. A list of processors can be found on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website at: www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/meategg/processors.htm.
Additional questions about the program and its implications in the lives of hunters and hungry Minnesotans can be directed to Rep. Hansen by phone at (651) 296-6828 or by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.
News Items
- Rep. Rick Hansen chosen as leader of Great Lakes Legislative Caucus - (Posted: Dec 27 2012 8:34AM)
- Need Holiday Gifts? Consider DNR Gift Cards - (Posted: 2012-11-27 00:00:00)
- Looking Forward to Serving, Getting the Job Done - (Posted: 2012-11-14 00:00:00)
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