Freedom from Hunger in the USA
 
Our nation cherishes God-given freedoms and defends them with strength, courage and perseverance. Together let's help more people experience freedom from hunger! 

FHFH was founded twenty three years ago by Rick Wilson after he stopped near a gravel farm lane in Virginia to help a woman load a deer into the trunk of her car and learned she was using the deer to feed her hungry children. Since it's founding in 1997, FHFH has provided over 20.9 million servings of meat for people in need.
 
The number of people struggling with hunger in the United States has increased due to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and there is no community that hasn't been affected. In 2018 there were 37,227,000 people in our country experiencing food insecurity. In 2020 the number of people facing food insecurity may have increased to 54 million because of the coronavirus. 

The impact of childhood hunger can be lifelong. Studies have shown that even mildly undernourished children may potentially suffer abnormal brain, cognitive, and psychological impairment that, if not corrected, can be irreversible. The elderly require greater consideration towards their health and medical needs that can become compromised when there is not enough food to eat.  

When people don't have enough money to buy food they often rely on food banks, food pantries and feeding ministries. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic food banks, food pantries and feeding ministries often listed their top donation need as protein.
 
FHFH helps solve the need for protein by paying the meat processing costs for deer or livestock donated to FHFH's participating meat processors. The processed meat is packaged and distributed at no charge to food banks, food pantries and feeding ministries to help people who don't have enough food for their families.
 
Thank you for your continued interest in our mission of feeding the hungry. Until there is no more hunger, FHFH will continue our efforts to achieve freedom from hunger for the people in our country!

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation has awarded $3,000 in grant funding to FHFH for chapters serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot Counties in Maryland. This funding will assist FHFH during the COVID-19 pandemic in providing approximately 4,000 servings of meat (depending on meat prices) to the food banks and feeding ministries for people in those counties.
 
We thank the Mid-Shore Community Foundation for their generosity and support of our mission to end hunger.
 
The Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects private resources with public needs to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties.
 
Inspired by a passion for the hunt and compassion for the hungry, FHFH is committed to addressing the problem of hunger in America. Since 1997 FHFH has provided over 20.8 million servings of meat to those in need.

​We received the following thank you note from Sarah McAleavy of the Frederick Community Action Agency for meat provided to them by our Frederick County FHFH chapter during the COVID-19 pandemic. This distribution has been made possible thanks to a special COVID-19 relief grant from the Community Foundation of Frederick County.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ...."  Matthew 25:35   
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FHFH's Response to Hunger During the COVID-19 Pandemic 
 
Since the onset of COVID-19 many people are suffering hardships. Hunger has been a hardship in every community in our country even before COVID-19, but as a result of the COVID-19 economic fallout the number of Americans struggling to put food on their table is rising.
 
FHFH is responding to help the increasing number of people who are experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. FHFH normally accepts donated deer in the fall and winter. We are accepting donated livestock and/or purchasing locally sourced livestock and poultry, and deer using crop damage permits during the COVID-19 crisis and recovery.

FHFH is able to provide the needed meat to food banks, food pantries and feeding groups because of people who care about other people. Donations of deer and livestock are processed and distributed to food banks, food pantries and feeding groups. Financial donations help us pay the meat processing fees so there is no cost to the hunter donating deer or the farmer donating livestock and there is no cost for the food bank, food pantry or feeding group receiving the much needed meat.
 
In times of hardship and uncertainty such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, FHFH is helping our neighbors struggling with hunger.   
 
Thank you for your continued interest in our mission of feeding the hungry. ​

Mercy Unlimited in Ohio expressed their appreciation for the donation of 225 pounds of meat to their food pantry by West Central Ohio FHFH (OH-40).  
 
"We would like to give a big THANK YOU to West Central Ohio Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry for the wonderful donation of 225 lbs. of ground beef today."  ~  Bernadine

Mercy Unlimited, Inc. began in 1989 by a small group of Christians who saw the need to help families in the community with food. Since then, they have expanded their services to meet additional needs with God's provision and community support. Their mission is to reflect the love of Christ by ministering unto those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, in need of clothing, sick, or imprisoned 

Kelli donated her first buck to Black Fork FHFH (OH-43) last year.  Kelli shared how she helped feed people in need.

"My third time ever hunting I was able to help feed the hungry with a nice buck.  I was very fortunate to hunt in a deer stand that my stepdad built for me, because I broke my foot prior to hunting.  I shot the deer with a 450 Bushmaster right after sunrise about 80 yards out. I will never forget shooting my first buck, and the families it was able to feed."

Thank you Kelli for donating your buck to FHFH. Because of your generosity approximately 200 servings of meat will be provided to people struggling with hunger.