As we gather this holiday season to celebrate abundance, gratitude, and the spirit of giving, we are reminded of the incredible impact hunters and conservation partners make in feeding families across America. Through the support of The NRA Foundation, Friends of NRA State Fund Committees, the Hunters’ Leadership Forum, and countless generous outdoorsmen and women, thousands of pounds of nutritious wild game reach families who need it most, especially during the 2025 holidays.
This year, we’re proud to highlight the programs and partners who ensure that no harvested game goes to waste and that more households can enjoy wholesome meals around their tables.
Hunters Sharing the Harvest – Pennsylvania
During a season centered on sharing, Hunters Sharing the Harvest embodies true holiday spirit. With $6,810 in funding from the Great American Outdoor Show and an additional $806 raised by Western Pennsylvania Friends of NRA, this program continues delivering high-quality venison to food banks statewide—helping families enjoy warm, nourishing meals during the holidays and beyond.
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry – Ohio
In Ohio, a $5,000 NRA Foundation grant supports the processing of venison, pork, and beef into 3 lb. meal-ready packages shared with food banks and kitchens. This effort extends kindness from hunters to the local community.
The program also covers processing costs for hogs and steers donated through county fair livestock auctions ensuring more local families have access to protein during a time when food costs are high and need is great.
Virginia Hunters Who Care – Virginia
With an NRA Foundation grant of $3,000, Virginia Hunters Who Care continues to support its Venison for the Hungry outreach. This year, the organization has been invited to the 348th annual tax tribute at the Governor’s Mansion, where they will accept deer presented by tribal nations, have them processed, and distribute the meat to local feeding programs. They will also support Future Farmers of America clubs by participating in deer drives at various high schools. Additionally, the group will conduct deer meat canning and venison chili canning sessions to ensure this nutritious protein reaches individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Since 1995, support from the NRA Foundation has provided over $53,000 in funding and has helped the program process 34,225 pounds of venison. This has resulted in 136,900 quarter-pound servings for men, women, children, seniors, individuals experiencing homelessness, and veterans facing food insecurity.
Regional East Texas Food Bank – Texas
A $67,571 NRA Foundation grant for a 14-foot insulated truck, and the recent dedication of a new refrigerated wild game donation trailer, has expanded the East Texas Food Bank’s ability to deliver fresh venison to families facing food insecurity.
This holiday season, countless households will enjoy wild game meals thanks to hunters who choose to donate and the organizations that work tirelessly to transport and prepare each pound.
Share the Harvest – Missouri
In Missouri, the long tradition of hunters helping families in need continues through the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s Share the Harvest program. With a recent $30,000 contribution from The NRA Foundation and support from the Hunters’ Leadership Forum, this program is expanding its reach during a time when one in six children across the state faces food insecurity. The funding helps process donated venison and supply high-protein snack sticks through the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri’s Buddy Pack program, ensuring children have access to nutritious, locally sourced protein even through weekends and holiday breaks.
Since its beginning, Share the Harvest has delivered more than six million pounds of venison to families throughout Missouri. Hunters donate their harvests, local processors prepare the meat, and food banks distribute it directly to communities in need. This partnership continues to show how the hunting community provides not only stewardship of the land but genuine nourishment for neighbors across the state.
Hunters continue doing what they have done for generations. They support their communities, share their harvest, and help ensure that families have access to wholesome protein during the holidays and throughout the year. This season, we are especially grateful for every hunter, processor, volunteer, and donor who helps fill plates and lift spirits across America. We also extend our sincere thanks to Friends of NRA attendees and donors whose generous contributions help make this work possible.
From our Friends of NRA family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for helping feed the communities we serve.
