Thu Sep 02 2010
By PETER GREER
The days of people hunting to feed the masses are not over.
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH), a nationwide program to provide food to those in need, has opened a chapter in Defiance County.
"There are 150 different chapters in the United States; county by county mostly," says Ken Baird, local chapter coordinator in the county. "Ours was the 32nd in Ohio. There is one (chapter) in Paulding that I know of."
With early deer hunting season underway, hunters may bring deer they have killed to processing stations in the area, which then ground the deer into venison burger meat in order to feed the hungry.
"Fort Defiance Meats is one place to donate to," says Baird, "and the Sherwood Locker is another."
The origins of FHFH can be traced back to Maryland in 1997, where the nonprofit organization's first chapter was organized. Its corporate headquarters are still located there.
As for Baird, he says he got involved with the program after learning about it on The Outdoor Channel. "I thought about it for a year," he says with a laugh, "and finally my wife told me to stop thinking about it and do something."
While deer is not the only meat sought out by FHFH, it may be the most common. "Beef is permitted," says Baird, who says that occasionally a cow purchased at a county fair may be killed and donated to a processing station. "I think elk is permitted; no pig. No roadkill is accepted, either."
Additionally, he adds, even the most noble intentions are subject to hunting rules and regulations. "We must abide by all state and local guidelines," Baird declares. "It does not entitle (hunters) an extra tag."
The meat, he says, is donated free of charge to the food bank, after which it is picked up for distribution by either St. John Lutheran Church food bank in Defiance or the Sherwood United Methodist Church bank. Additionally, some of the meat will go to the Defiance PATH Center.
Those in need of food may go to either church and sign their names and addresses, after which they may pick up meat for themselves and their families.
While one deer can feed some 200 people, each deer used by FHFH takes $50 to process. "I raise money to pay for processing," Baird notes. "Next year I plan to have a fundraiser or two. I'm also applying for grants."
Thanks largely to publicity and the Internet, the word is beginning to spread in the area about FHFH's existence and purpose; however, Baird notes two area organizations which he says have been very supportive of the organization. "Fairview Young Farmers have donated to the cause; also the Hicksville Eagles," he says.
Baird is pleased the public in general is starting to learn more about FHFH, which he refers to as a Christian-oriented reminder of the times when people used to hunt for food. He adds that those looking for more information including representatives to contact are encouraged to log onto fhfh.org, which provides processing locker locations across the country as well as the names and telephone numbers of coordinators.
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