7th Annual Hunters for the Hungry

Program promotes environmental stewardship while providing healthy protein to neighbors in need

WHAT: Hunters for the Hungry is a program through Feeding Texas that promotes environmental stewardship while providing healthy protein to the hungry by distributing donated venison to Texans via hunger relief agencies.  Hunters can drop off legally tagged, field-dressed deer to participating meat processors who prepare the venison for distribution via Houston Food Bank Partner Agencies.

The following deer varieties can be accepted:

    • Axis Deer
    • Blackbuck
    • Fallow Deer
    • Mule Deer
    • Nilgai
    • Oryx
    • Silka Deer
    • Whitetail Deer

Houston Food Bank is partnered with Bay Area Deer Processing, Chappell Hill Sausage Company, Junior’s Smokehouse & Deer, and Midway Food Market this year and is looking for additional partner processors.  These generous processors have agreed to process donated meat free of charge to the hunters, packaging it in 2-lb. chub bags which are then given to Houston Food Bank and distributed to four of their partner agencies for distribution to our neighbors in need.

Hunters for the Hungry has provided more than 10 million servings of venison to Texans in need. 

** Houston Food Bank is looking for landowners and hunters that would like to support the program by donating tagged and field dressed deer to one of our participating processors.

WHEN: November 2025 – January 2026

Hunters can help by:

  • Bringing legally tagged, field-dressed whitetail or mule deer to a participating meat processor. There is no cost to you! Due to state and federal health regulations, Hunters for the Hungry is not able to accept donations of feral hogs.
  • When purchasing Texas hunting license, choose the option to donate to Hunters for the Hungry. Your donation supports meat processing fees!

Processors can help by:

  • Becoming a participating processor by contacting Houston Food Bank to sign up. Prior to each hunting season, partner processors will receive donation receipts, two-pound chub packs for donated venison, and promotional materials. Processors are reimbursed at a market rate that is negotiated in an annual Hunters for the Hungry agreement with the food bank.

Hunger Relief Agencies:

  • Houston Food Bank member agencies are eligible to receive venison donations. Contact Houston Food Bank for details.

For more information on Hunters for the Hungry for Houston Food Bank, contact huntersforthehungry@houstonfoodbank.org or visit https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/ways-to-give/givefood/huntersforthehungry/

 

About Houston Food Bank

Serving Houston and southeast Texas since 1982, Houston Food Bank’s mission is to provide food for better lives. We provide access to 140 million nutritious meals in 18 counties through our 1,600 community partners of food pantries, soup kitchens, social service providers and schools.  Filling gaps on plates, we have a strong focus on healthy foods and fresh produce. In collaboration with our community, we advocate for policy change and racial equity, and promote dialogue on ways to increase access to food and to improve the lives of those in our communities, including services and connections to programs that address the root causes of hunger and are aimed at helping families achieve long-term stability: nutrition education, health management and help with securing state-funded assistance. We are a resource for individuals and families in times of hardship. Houston Food Bank works alongside our partner food banks in Montgomery County, Galveston County, Brazos Valley, and Trinity River area. Houston Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the 12th consecutive year.

Website .houstonfoodbank.org/about-us/milestones/; Social media: @houstonfoodbank (Instagram and Twitter), @thehoustonfoodbank (Facebook)