(Area) Two programs supported by the Iowa DNR provide outlets for hunters to donate meat from a deer that they harvest.
The Help us Stop Hunger or HUSH program has been around for many years. Bryan Hayes with the Iow DNR says, “Providing high quality protein to needy Iowans. These deer go to the lockers and from there the Food Bank of Iowa gets these processed deer to these recipients.”
A new alternative is the Iowa Deer Exchange Program. “This is a free online database where deer hunters willing to provide venison can connect with Iowans who want venison. You sign up through IowaDNR.gov and can either be a hunter who is donating or a recipient.”
Recipients can request several different varieties. Hayes says it’s a program to connect hunters with people willing to accept deer.
