Our Opinon: Share the Harvest and ease hunger

Missouri's annual Share the Harvest program is prime example of effective ways to alleviate hunger.

During deer hunting season, the program offers an opportunity for sportsmen to donate their bounty to needy Missourians.

Share the Harvest is a partnership that includes the Conservation Federation, Missouri Department of Conservation, food banks, meat processors and hunters. The Central Missouri Chapter of Safari Club again is the sponsor in Mid-Missouri.

Hunter may donate deer, in whole or in part, to the program.

Participating Central Missouri processors are paid $60 for an entire deer by the Conservation Federation of Missouri, with the remainder paid by the area Safari Club chapter. The reimbursements continue until a cap is reached at each processing plant or until available funds are exhausted.

In our area, eight participating meat processors will distribute the donations to 16 charities.

Last year, 6,244 hunters statewide donated 317,882 pounds of venison.

We encourage participation in Share the Harvest for three reasons.

First, deer hunting seasons in Missouri help control and manage the state's deer population.

In addition, the generous donations by hunters dovetail with key ingredients of sportsmanship, including respect and fair play.

And, of course, the program helps feed hungry Missourians, without adding to the overall tax burden.

Share the Harvest allows sportsmen to put food not only on their own tables, but on the tables of fellow Missourians in need.