OUTDOORS: Group hunts for those in need

ABINGDON, Va. – Gary Arrington loves to discuss hunting.

He grew up chasing whitetail deer, and has watched with pride as the elusive herd has expanded across the woods and valleys of Virginia.

“Lord knows, there’s no shortage of deer in Virginia,“ Arrington said.

Arrington wants to help folks to share the tasty bounty through a creative grassroots program called Hunters for the Hungry. Arrington serves as the special projects manager.

The nonprofit corporation was created in 1991 by David Horne, a Bedford County sportsman who was eager to help Virginia’s needy.

“David was an avid hunter, but he also cared deeply for people,“ Arrington said. “He saw a big need and put two ideas together. Things have just taken off from there.

Horne died in 2002 at age 50 from cancer, yet his dream has blossomed from the coast of Virginia to the mountains.

The concept is simple. Through the generosity of financial supporters and the donations of civic-minded hunters, officials of the charity distribute the deer meat to church missions, food banks and the Salvation Army.

“Last year alone, we processed and distributed 381,151 pounds of venison statewide. And since we’ve been in existence, we have distributed over three million pounds of meat to folks of all ages,“ Arrington said. “In fact, we’ve set new records every year.“

Arrington, a charismatic ambassador for sportsmen of all stripes, shared the good news about his work and attempted to generate more interest during the Sept. 19-20 Hunting & Fishing Expo at the Southwest
Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.

“Folks in Southwest Virginia really care about other people and they certainly love to hunt,“ Arrington said. “We’re kind of limited in this area with the number of meat processors and feeding programs, but we do work with a food bank in Abingdon and we know there are more programs here.

“It’s just a matter of making the hunters aware and getting more processors to participate.“

Danny Tate, the busy owner of Benhams Market in Bristol, Va., has worked with Hunters for the Hungry the past four years.

“This program is a very good way for hunters to help out their neighbors,“ said Tate, who has a national base of customers. “There is a big need for meat in our area and there is a good supply of deer, so I’d love to see the program grow locally.“

Once the venison is skinned, cut, wrapped and frozen, officials from the charity coordinate the distribution of the high-protein, low-fat venison. An average sized deer yields 50 pounds of meat.

The cost of processing is around $40 for a deer, Arrington said.

Thanks to the urging of Horne, Virginia legislators passed a measure in 2003 where sportsmen can make a voluntary contribution of $2 with the purchase of a hunting license.

“David was working on that idea when he was diagnosed with cancer,“ Arrington said. “After he passed away, the David H. Horne Hunger Relief Bill was passed.“

Fundraising banquets held in the Roanoke Valley the past two years have raised nearly $50,000. Arrington would like to hold similar functions in far Southwest Virginia.

Thanks to progressive regulations by Virginia game officials and conservation-minded hunters, the deer population in Virginia is thriving. In fact, there are over a million deer in the state.

“Those kind of numbers tell you how healthy the herd is,“ Arrington said. “And the best feather in the cap that a hunter could ever have would be able to say that they are helping to feed needy men, women and children right in their own in their community.“

That’s the driving force for the Hunters for the Hungry charity, Arrington said.

“Our program is a great way to promote hunting and to keep the outdoors tradition going for the future,“ Arrington said. “The bottom line is that we’re doing what God commanded us to do in feeding people that are less fortunate.

“The need is there in Southwest Virginia and all over the state. We just need a little help.“

Who: Gary Arrington

What: Hunters for the Hungry

Headquarters: Big Island, Va.

Contact: 1-800-352 (HUNT) 4868 or online at this link.

Fast Facts: Programs similar to Hunters for the Hungry are offered in 17 other states.