FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Big Island, VA

November 19, 2012

HERE AT THANKSGIVING THE HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY PROGRAM

 IS THANKFUL FOR A $25,000.00 GRANT THEY ARE RECEIVING FROM WAL-MART

            Hunters for the Hungry announced today that they will be the recipients of a $25,000.00 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation.  The donation is to be awarded at a food distribution organized by Wal-Mart and the Appomattox County Community Center. This food distribution is the culmination of many groups and individuals working together to see that everyone has a Thanksgiving meal.  Sponsors include: area schools, The Baptist and Ministerial Association, St. Annes Episcopal Church , Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, VFW Post 8955, area foodbanks, BB&T, Farmers Bank, Wells Fargo and the Good Neighbor Help Center. Six hundred fifty seven food boxes are to be given away to families that have been pre-appoved as income eligible for services.  Venison will also be offered to the families at this event.

             The check presentation is scheduled for noon on the day of the food distribution, Tuesday, November 20.  The event is being held at the Appomattox County Community Center, 220 Community Lane, Appomattox, VA (434-352-5996).  We hope you can join us.

             Laura Newell-Furniss, Director of Hunters for the Hungry said, “This gift could not come at a better time.  It will allow our program to process 625 deer which will yield 125,000 quarter pound servings of lean meat for people in need here in Virginia.  The need for quality lean protein is tremendous.  The feeding agencies that we assist are reporting that the number of people requesting help is far greater than last year and this lean meat will be a huge help to them.”

             Just last week we had sent out announcements that we were off pace with donations of deer by 80,000 pounds and this is another opportunity for us to ask hunters to please contribute deer to the program.  It is our goal this year to provide 390,000 pounds of meat statewide, enough venison to provide 1.56 million quarter pound servings.

 Since our program began in 1991, the deer hunters of Virginia have donated in excess of 4.9 million pounds of meat.  This is enough venison to provide 19.8 million quarter pound servings of this quality food!  We ask the deer hunters to once again share your harvest with those in need this year.  The compassion you have shown your fellow man is to be commended.  We would remind hunters that the donation of mature large bodied deer help our donated dollars for processing to go further!

 For more information on Hunters for the Hungry, please visit our website at www.h4hungry.org or give us a call at 1-800-352-4868.  For more information from Wal-Mart and their commitment to hunger relief,  please call Denzil VanSwearingen, Appomattox Wal-Mart Store Manager at 434-941-1163.  Mr VanSwearingen said, “Wal-Mart is very committed to our local communities and giving back.  With the economy there are a lot of families struggling and working with our community partners we want to ensure that families are able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this year.   Sharing is the greatest “gift” one can give to themselves.”