Since 1991, Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen have been helping to feed the hungry in their communities by donating some of the venison they harvested through the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

As the project gears up for its 17th season this fall, deer hunters are reminded there are a number of ways they can contribute to the program. Hunters may contribute their time or make monetary donations, as well as giving part -- or all -- of their deer harvest to this charitable cause.

"This is a grassroots effort, a program undertaken by our sportsmen and sportswomen who want to make a positive contribution to their communities," said Ray Rustem, who represents the Department of Natural Resources in the MSAH program.

The DNR became more directly involved with MSAH during the 2005 season after the Legislature enacted a law allowing the agency to collect money to help pay for processing venison to be donated to the hungry.

Previously, the effort was supported entirely by volunteer and sportsmen's groups including the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Safari Club International, Michigan Bow Hunters Association, Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America and the United Methodist Men's Club.

"Wild game is good, nutritious food and the liberal hunting regulations in Michigan make it possible for many hunters to shoot more deer than they can use themselves," said MSAH president Dean Hall. "Sharing the bounty of the hunt is as old as humankind and last year's deer season provided hunters with more than 26 million pounds of venison. Just a fraction of that harvest could provide thousands of meals to the needy.

"Half of those who receive food are the very young or the very old -- the most vulnerable citizens of our state," Hall continued. "And nearly half of the families needing help are the working poor; families who cannot afford groceries despite having someone in the household who works. Hunger strikes people in rural, suburban and urban communities. It's not just a big-city problem; 40 percent of Michigan's hungry live in rural or suburban areas."

The need for food assistance has never been more pressing.

According to the Michigan League for Human Services, one in eight families in Michigan receives assistance through the USDA food stamp program. (You might remember that Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently challenged state citizens to limit their spending on food for one week to the same amount as a basic food stamp grant.)

Community-based food banks also say they are feeling the pinch from growing need.

"On a local level, our food banks are seeing up to a 40 percent increase in the need for food because of the economy," said Jane Marshall of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. "We need all the help we can get this year."

Last year, almost 23,000 pounds of venison was provided to local charities by hunters who were participating in the MSAH program.

Venison donations must be made through participating licensed processors. Hunters may drop off the entire deer at a processor; the MSAH will pay the processor at a rate of 80 cents a pound for the venison that makes its way into community food banks.

"What we pay the processors doesn't really cover their cost -- it's a charitable contribution on their part, too," Hall said. "We've worked through the Michigan Food Bank to identify reputable charities."

Hunters do not have to donate their entire deer. This year, MSAH has initiated the "Give a Pound Program." Hunters, who are having their deer butchered by a participating licensed processor, can tell the processor how much meat they wish to donate to the program. The processor will make sure the meat is picked up by a MSAH volunteer and distributed to a local food bank or soup kitchen.

Sportsmen and sportswomen also can make a direct donation to the program when they purchase their licenses, either online or at a license agent. But hunters who already have purchased their licenses can still contribute by getting online and going to the state's e-license sales system or by contacting MSAH directly.

The MSAH program continues to grow as more sportsmen and sportswomen -- and community food banks -- find out about it.

"For many years, hunters in Michigan have done an outstanding job in donating venison to help families in need in all parts of the state," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "We are grateful for the support of hunters who donate venison, whether it's as little as a few pounds or the whole deer."

To learn more about program, obtain a list of licensed processors or to donate time or money to the program, visit the MSAH Web site at www.sportsmenagainsthunger.org.