Hunters for the Hungry Program

The Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program encourages generous hunters to contact approved meat processors directly to inquire about capacity. Approved processors are required to have a direct relationship with the food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters where the donated game meat will be distributed. Before receiving donated game animals to be processed, contact your food pantry to be sure they have space and arrange a pick-up or delivery. The Program is currently facing a labor shortage and as a result cannot assist in distribution of game donations.

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About Maine Hunters for the Hungry

The Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program was founded in 1996 and its impact has grown steadily ever since. Maine sportsmen and sportswomen can play a major role in game management while providing wild game meat to hunger relief locations across the state. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry facilitates the donations to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters affiliated with The Emergency Food Assistance Program. There are a limited number of food assistance sites with the capacity to accept wild game meat.

The Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program is a collaboration with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that works with the Maine Warden Service, state biologists, Maine State Troopers and hunters towards a common goal of helping Mainers in need.

The program accepts bear, deer and moose donations. When a connection can be made between a donor, processor, and pantry, hunters do not pay for the processing of donated meat. Meat processing costs are paid for by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the charity that receives the food. Hunters choosing to keep their game can still donate a few pounds to the program. Meat Processors that are interested in participating should call 207-287-3491 or email H4H@maine.gov.

The program has been successful annually by supplying lean, high protein meats to food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters throughout Maine.

Hunters for the Hungry offers a deep and sincere thank you to the hunters, corporations, and organizations for their past, present and continued support. 

Donation Requirements for Hunters

  1. Contact an approved processor to be sure they have the capacity to receive your donation.
  2. Game must be legally harvested and tagged.
  3. Please be aware the program is unable to accept donations from animals harvested in the Do Not Eat advisory area. For the most up to date information regarding the “Do Not Eat” advisory, including the advisory zone boundaries, please review IFW's Advisory.
  4. Game must be field dressed – Watch Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s how to video. For more information on how to process a moose, please follow this link to IF&W's moose hunting page. 
  5. Properly care for the meat, follow common food safety guidelines, keep it cold and get it to an approved processor in a timely manner.

Processors

If you would like to become an approved processor for the Hunters for the Hungry program, please follow the steps below.