Calling all Hunters & Farmers: A Powerful Way to Reduce Hunger Locally
Every month, I consult with my staff, my family, and even some of you on what I should discuss in my column, and this month is no different. While there is no shortage of developments at CFMC, many are not ready for disclosure, restricting my public announcements. (Cliffhanger!) My staff suggested I inform you again this month about Morgan County’s food shortage, especially since the season of giving is near. Of course, what great timing given the unprecedented level of need we are seeing in Morgan County and the uncertainty of SNAP benefits. As I organized my thoughts and researched solutions for food insecure areas, I discovered something I was not expecting. I think we have a significant solution to reducing hunger all around us.
Susan Haynes is the current Executive Director for Churches in Mission (CIM), Morgan County’s largest food pantry. Susan has worn many hats during her 30 years of volunteer service with CIM, and I frequently rely on her updates to assess the need. In June, Susan shocked our women’s giving circle, 100+ Women Who Care, with the unprecedented number of hungry families CIM was serving. The women responded by awarded that night’s grant to CIM of over $30,000. Susan was grateful but later told me those funds would only last through the summer. I wrote about her win and the growing need in my July column. From January to October this year, Churches in Mission filled 7,422 food orders for 1,781 households. Those households included 1,750 children and 617 senior. October was the largest one-month total for assistance, with 1,235 food orders filled. These numbers have tripled since the COVID pandemic in 2020. Monday, November 3rd, Churches in Mission had its largest single day of assistance, with 150 food orders filled. On that day alone, 15 households new to Churches in Mission came for assistance.
So what do we do now? I welcome direct donations to Churches in Mission and other food pantries, but I have a more specific ask of two very prevalent, powerful groups in Morgan County – hunters and farmers. Like I said, in preparing this column, I made a discovery that I think is a viable solution to this growing problem.
In 1997, in Hagerstown, Maryland, a woman was desperately struggling to load a battered buck she found into her car so she could feed her family. A man named Rick Wilson stopped to help her and felt both heartbroken and inspired. Her determination to do whatever it took to feed her kids made a lasting impact on him. Rick went home that day with a passion inside him to bring farmers and hunters together to help feed their hungry neighbors. That vision has now grown into a nationwide effort that now unites volunteers across America to provide healthy protein for food banks and feeding ministries in local communities. Rick founded Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) and is now combating hunger locally and sustainably. CFMC has reached out to Monroe County who has a local chapter of FHFH to extend this to Morgan County.
Morgan County is rich with farmers and hunters. This collaboration could be very powerful. During deer season, Indiana licensed hunters are allowed to kill 6 does and 1 buck; however, there is a reduction zone that runs between State Road 67 and I69, and from State Hwy 39 to I 465, allowing hunters to kill 9 does and 1 buck. A lifetime licensed hunter, like my husband, can hunt this limit without purchasing tags, required for processing, but that lifetime license was discontinued in 2003. Through a fund at CFMC, we can reimburse hunters for tags and butchers for processing fees for donated animals. Did you know the meat from one deer can make 160 meals? Offering needy families meat options is one of the greatest challenges for Churches in Mission. I consider our food shortage to be our highest and most urgent need of our county. Imagine being able to offer hungry children biscuits and venison gravy instead of a box of cereal.
Opening day of gun season started Saturday, November 15th and runs through November 30th and all other seasons for deer end January 4th other than the reduction zone which closes January 31st. I ask all hunters to consider donating one kill this season. Your donation could have a huge impact in reducing Morgan County’s hunger problem. Readers, if you know a hunter, spread the word, and consider donating to our fund to offset processing costs. All charitable donations are tax deductible.
Throughout my short time at CFMC, I have made many requests of you. From reaching our GIFT VIII goal set by Lilly Endowment to organizing of our giving circles, I have learned repeatedly the strength and generosity of Morgan County. We take care of our neighbors, and we do not let them go hungry.
For more information and offers of help, please contact me at kcole@cfmconline.org.
