On October 13, the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program presented a $50,000 grant to Maryland’s Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH), the state’s game meat donation program. Through FHFH, hunters and farmers in Maryland are given the opportunity to donate deer and livestock to help aide in America’s hunger problem.
Game meat donation programs enhance the historical role of hunters as food providers and foster goodwill with the non-hunting public. Research has shown the majority of adult Americans (85 percent) will support hunting if they know the primary motivation of the hunter is to procure meat. Therefore, these programs not only help provide food for the less fortunate, but also help to build goodwill with the non-hunting public by framing hunting in a way that non-hunters can understand and feel comfortable supporting.
During a ceremony held at Frederick Food Bank, Store Manager Ijaz Ahmad presented a grant check on behalf of Walmart, “”Walmart and the Walmart Foundation believe that every family should have access to affordable, nutritious food and we are proud to continue expanding resources in Maryland through our work with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry.”
Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator John Astle commented on the importance of this program. “FHFH is a wonderful program. It helps provide healthy protein to people in need while at the same time it offers hunters the opportunity to help reduce the deer population,” said Sen. Astle.
Walmart is a Platinum Level Mission Partner of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Their support helps CSF further its mission of working with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
