ALPENA — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works to help address the issue of hunger through a program called Hunters Feeding Michigan, according to a recent DNR press release. The program “bridges the gap” between hunters donating harvested deer and charities that can use deer meat (venison) from those donations to help people facing hunger.

According to the release, the Hunters Feeding Michigan program follows a three-step process. First, hunters use a license to harvest a deer and donate the venison to the program. Second, they bring the deer to a participating processor, with no processing fee. Third, after the deer meat is processed, the program’s partner, Food Bank Council of Michigan, distributes the venison to food banks, pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and other agencies across the state.

The DNR states that the Hunters Feeding Michigan system has distributed 2.8 million servings of “clean protein” to those in need since 2005. Since Oct. 1, 2024, the program has processed almost 500,000 servings of venison.

The program is primarily donation-funded, according to the release.

The release states that the legislation was passed in 2005 requiring the DNR to start a wild game donation program. The DNR explains that once Hunters Feeding Michigan partnered with the Food Bank Council of Michigan, the program has expanded.

The DNR states that the program is a way hunters can connect with and contribute to their communities.

Those that wish to support the program by donating harvested deer or making a monetary donation can visit michigan.gov/dnr/about/get-involved.

Individuals can also support the program by purchasing Hunters Feeding Michigan merchandise — such as t-shirts, hats, hoodies, and tumblers — from Great Lakes Proud at greatlakesproud.com/.

Portions of proceeds from Deer Camp Coffee’s Doner Doe and Tradition coffees also support Hunters Feeding Michigan. These products can be purchased from deercampcoffee.com/.