(Pictured above: Jefferson County Commissioners Jeff Pisarcik and Jack Matson promote the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program with county treasurer James “Moon” VanSteenberg.)
County treasurer James “Moon” VanSteenberg, who is directly involved in the program, reported on it at Tuesday’s County Commissioners’ meeting.
Hunters who bag a deer, but who don’t want the meat, can give part of – or the entire deer – to a meat processor in the program who will then give the meat to food pantries, missions, soup kitchens, and other places serving the less fortunate.
There is no fee to the hunter. Hundreds of sponsors have enabled the program to be cost-free to hunters and those in need of the meat.
Since 1991, one million pounds of venison have been donated in Pennsylvania. In 2015, 100,000 pounds were donated.
“This program feeds a lot of people,” VanSteenberg said. “One hundred thousand pounds of meat goes a long way.”
The following meat processors in Jefferson County are participating:
– Alderton’s Meat Market on Route 322 west of Brookville, 814-849-6328
– VanSteenberg’s Moon’s Meats in Corsica, 814-856-2489.