ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610220003
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: HUNTING
The Hunters for the Hungry program, 5 years old this season, has set a goal of providing 125,000 pounds of venison for the needy during the 1996-97 deer season.
But in addition to bucks and does, it also will take bucks of another kind to reach the goal, said David Horne, the program's director. Funding is required to process the venison donated by hunters, he said. The venison is distributed to the less fortunate through food banks, soup kitchens, churches and other organizations.
``If financial support is available we can reach and surpass the 125,000-pound figure,'' Horne said.
In five years of operation, more than 355,000 pounds of venison have been provided to Virginia's hungry.
``Each year we have to turn hunters away who want to give us their deer,'' Horne said.
With additional financial support, the processing effort could reach 200,000 pounds annually, he said.
Ruritan National recently agreed to include the program on its list of approved partnership organizations.
``We have a major contributor, who wishes to remain anonymous, who will match Ruritan contributions, dollar for dollar, during the remainder of 1996 up to a maximum of $10,000,'' Horne said.
Financial contributions this year are running ahead of last year's pace, but haven't reached the level Horne would like to see in order to take advantage of the venison made available to the program. Contributions can be sent to Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island 24526.
There are a number of meat processors in the region who will accept venison from hunters for the program . They include:
BEDFORD COUNTY
Pat Mitchell, Mitchell's Grocery, (skinned deer only), Lynchburg, 804-384-1911
Andy Arrington, Bedford, 540-586-0758
David Patterson, Bryant's Grocery, Bedford, 540-586-1671.
FLOYD COUNTY
Robert Chaffin, Willis Village Mart, Willis, 540-789-7241.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Marlin Bowman, Bowman's Meat Processing, Burnt Chimney, 540-721-2045.
GILES COUNTY
Brenda and Dale Smith, Smith Valley Meats, Rich Creek, 540-726-3992.
HENRY COUNTY
Gordon Metz, Pinecrest Meats, Martinsville, 540-632-8567.
Tim Belcher, Martinsville, 540-632-9155.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Doug Mason, Custom Meats Inc., Blacksburg, 540-951-8292.
PULASKI COUNTY
Richard Fowlkes, Fowlkes Meat Processing, Pulaski, 540-980-3216.
ROANOKE
Brenda Robson, Overstreet Foods, Roanoke, 342-3860.
ROCKBRIDGE
H.L. McClung, Fairfield, 540-377-6368.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: David Horne doesn't just direct the Hunters for theby CNBHungry program, he's also an avid hunter. During the recent state
big-game contest, Horne placed second in the bowhunting category
with this 12-point Bedford County buck.