DECATUR, IL (wandtv.com) – Hunters harvested more than 300 deer, totaling 12,187 pounds of venison, for the 2023-2024 Illinois Deer Donation Program. The venison was donated to more than 50 food pantries across a 16-county area in east-central Illinois, providing 48,748 meals to individuals and families.
“We’re so grateful to our partnering meat processors and hunters,” said Caitlin Mellendorf, nutrition and wellness educator. “Without them, this program isn’t able to provide venison to hundreds of families.”