"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   
 
There are some things in life that can't be changed, but hunger is not one of them!
 
In America, 1 in 6 children may not know where they will get their next meal.  For the nearly 13 million kids in the U.S. facing hunger, getting the energy they need to learn and grow can be a day-in, day-out challenge.  It's not just young children who are not getting enough to eat. Tim Miller, Associate Dean of Students, George Washington University stated, "40% of students struggled with hunger in some way throughout the month." (Source: Feeding America)
 
Children who are denied an adequate diet are at a greater risk of not reaching their full potential as individuals.  Children who are undernourished have trouble concentrating and bonding with other children and are more likely to suffer illnesses that force them to be absent from school. They consistently perform more poorly on standardized tests. Poor performance early in school is a major risk factor for dropping out of school in later years.  According to labor statistics, educational attainment is perhaps the greatest indicator of job and income mobility, so the impact of childhood hunger can be lifelong. Studies have also shown time and time again that even mildly undernourished children may potentially suffer abnormal brain, cognitive, and psychological impairment that, if not corrected, can be irreversible.
 
Our children are our future!  We are asking you to please make a donation to FHFH today so we can continue to provide the needed protein to those who are struggling with hunger and help make the future better for everyone!

​Your financial support enables us to pay the meat processing costs for donated deer and livestock.  Won't you please consider making a tax-deductible financial gift today?  You can be assured your gift is well spent and you'll know you have helped someone who is in need.  

$10 = meat for 20 meals
$25 = meat for 50 meals
$50 = meat for 100 meals
  
CLICK HERE to make a secure online donation.
 
You can also mail a donation to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry at P.O. Box 323, Williamsport, MD 21795.  If you'd like to designate your donation for a particular FHFH Chapter, please write the chapter name, code or county in the memo line of the check.
​
You can donate deer or livestock.  CLICK HERE to find a participating FHFH meat processor in your area.

​On behalf of FHFH and all those in our country suffering from hunger, we THANK YOU for your support!
  
Sincerely,

  



​Josh Wilson
Executive Director
Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry

Williamsport, MD - Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry today earned the 2018 Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. By sharing metrics that highlight progress FHFH is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios.
 
"In accordance with our long-held belief in being transparent about our work,” said Josh Wilson, “we are excited to convey our organization’s results in a user-friendly and highly visual manner. By updating our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to the Platinum level, we can now easily share a wealth of up-to-date organizational metrics with our supporters as well as GuideStar's immense online audience, which includes donors, grantmakers, our peers, and the media."
 
To reach the Platinum level, FHFH added extensive information to its Nonprofit Profile on GuideStar: basic contact and organizational information; in-depth financial information; qualitative information about goals, strategies, and capabilities; and quantitative information about results and progress toward its mission. By taking the time to provide this information, FHFH has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and to giving donors and funders meaningful data to evaluate FHFH.
 
"I encourage you to visit our profile on GuideStar to see what we're all about," added Josh Wilson. “We’re thrilled that our GuideStar Platinum Nonprofit Profile and its associated benefits help us better communicate our organization’s exciting initiatives at a global scale."
 
About GuideStar Nonprofit Profiles
The GuideStar database contains a profile for every tax-exempt nonprofit registered with the IRS. GuideStar encourages every nonprofit to claim and update its profile at no cost to the organization. Updating allows nonprofits to share a wealth of up-to-date information with the more than 8 million people who visit GuideStar to learn more about nonprofit organizations each year. Updating also allows nonprofits to share information with the more than 200 philanthropic websites and applications that are powered by GuideStar data. To reach a given participation level, organizations need to complete all required fields for that participation level. The GuideStar participation levels, acknowledged as symbols of transparency in the nonprofit sector, are displayed on all updated participants' profiles in the GuideStar database.

The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. has awarded $1,​125​ in grant funding to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry​.

​​This grant will positively impact​ ​the community by enabling FHFH to provide nutritious meat from donated deer and livestock to food banks and ministries that feed those in need.

​The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. was created by and for the people of Washington County, MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

On behalf of those in Washington County who struggle with hunger, we thank the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. for their generosity and support of our mission to end hunger.

​2017 Federal Tax Reform & Charitable Giving
 
As you know, the 2017 Tax Reform bill contains many changes to previous tax rules and rates.  This is a summary of how the changes affect charitable giving to public charities, like FHFH.   Consult your local tax professional to determine how the new rules impact your particular situation. 

Surveys of donors consistently reveal that most donors to 501(c) 3 public charities do so from the heart, not the wallet.  Only about 5% of respondents say they would modify their charitable giving strategies if the tax benefits were removed.  How they respond to a survey may be a bit different than the reality of how they really behave.  If accurate, this would suggest that public charities should not be worried about future donor contributions drying up as a result of the recent tax changes.  That said, let’s focus on the recent changes and possible donor strategies. 

Cash donations to public charities (501(c) 3 orgs) can now be deducted up to 60% of AGI – Adjusted Gross Income, with five more years of carry forward if needed.  The old limit was 50%.  Under the new tax rules, many of the families who filed a Schedule A tax form, thereby benefiting from their charitable contributions, will no longer need to file Schedule A.  So how can these impacted donors achieve a tax benefit from future charitable contributions?  One strategy is to use a DAF – Donor Advised Fund.  This is the “bunching” strategy.  Suppose a family gives $5,000 each year to variety of charities by sending each of them a check.  Assume they can no longer deduct the gifts because they no longer benefit from filing Schedule A.  They could open a DAF with a one-time gift of $50,000.  The entire gift of $50,000 is deductible in the tax year that they fund their DAF.  Each year they simply ask the DAF fund to distribute funds to their favorite charities, just as they have sent checks in the past.

Another neat strategy works for IRA owners who must take RMD – required minimum distributions starting at age 70 ½.  New tax rules allow the IRA owner to instruct the IRA custodian to send funds from the IRA directly to a qualified public charity, up to $100,000 each year.  This is the only way an IRA owner can disclaim the RMD income and avoid income taxes.  The donor achieves their charitable intent and lowers their taxable income.  America has always been the most benevolent country on planet earth.  Continue to talk with current and potential donors about the importance of making a difference by supporting FHFH with their time, talent and treasure.
 
Mike Handrick
FHFH WI-01
715-614-8200
mike@handrickplanning.com
www.handrickplanning.com
 
Mike Handrick does not provide tax or legal advice.  Always consult your professionals.
Securities and advisory services offered through Packerland Brokerage Services, Inc., an unaffiliated entity -  Member FINRA & SIPC 

Chinese Red Stock Braised Venison Shanks
by Bobbie Jo Wasilko
He Hunts She Cooks
​
Prep Time:  30 min
Cook Time:  5 hr
​​Serves 6

Traditionally used for braised duck legs or pork belly, the red cooking broth imparts a distinctively Chinese flavor to these venison shanks. This “red cooking stock” has several Chinese spices, as well as a touch of rock sugar and sherry to create a salty-sweet-spicy braising liquid for slow braised venison shanks. Make a double batch of the red cooking stock and freeze half to use for whatever tough cut you want to give a low, slow braise.

For the Red Stock

• 8 cups Chicken Stock
• 1-1/4 cups Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 cup Shaoxing Cooking Wine
• 1/2 cup Dry Sherry
• 3/4 cup Chinese Rock Sugar (substitute light brown sugar)
• 3 Tbs. Chinese Five Spice Powder
• 1 Tbs. Whole Black Peppercorns
• 1 Tbs. Whole Sichuan Peppercorns
• 1 Tbs. Korean Ground Red Pepper (Gochugaru)
• 1 Tbs. Onion Powder
• 2 bunches Scallions green and white parts (cut into 2 inch pieces)
• 1 Two Inch Piece of Fresh Ginger Root (cut in 4 pieces)
• 10 Cloves Garlic (Peeled, smashed)
• 2 Naval Oranges (quartered and with the rind on)

For the Venison Shanks (or 5 pound any tough cuts)

• 4-6 Whole Bone-In Venison Shanks
• 1 Large Onion
• 1 Tbs. Chinese Five Spice Powder
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper
• Kosher Salt
• Peanut Oil for Frying

To Finish

• 3 Tbs. Corn Starch
• 3 Tbs. Water

For the Chinese Red Stock

• In a large stock pot, add all the stock ingredients and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Cool until ready to use.

For the Venison Shanks

• Bring shanks to room temperature one hour before cooking.
• Preheat the oven to 300ºF.
• Season Shanks with a little kosher salt, black pepper and Chinese Five Spice.
• Sear the shanks in a large frying pan with a bit of peanut oil, until browned on all sides.
• Chop the onion and sauté in the same pan for 4 minutes.
• Place the shanks and onions in a large roasting pan and pour the red cooking stock over the shanks.
• Cover the pan and place in the oven for 4-5 hours util tender.
• When finished, remove the shanks and set aside.
• Strain the sauce and discard all the solids.
• Pour the braising liquid into a pot and heat until boiling.
• Make a slurry with 3 tablespoons corn starch, and 3 tablespoons cold water.
• Pour the slurry into the braising liquid to thicken a little (*Don't make it too thick, this is a sauce, not gravy).
• Serve the shanks whole, or pull the meat off the bones.
• Serve with rice and stir fried vegetables.

Notes

• Use the braising liquid to pour over coconut milk jasmine rice and stir fried vegetables. YUMM!