MFB Venison Donation Task Force makes largest donation ever — to help fight hunger in MI

The donated deer will be ground into burger and distributed to charities across the state.

Recently, Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies’ Venison Donation Task Force donated $15,000 to the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (MSAH), their largest direct donation to date, which will be used to help end hunger in Michigan.

“There are so many hungry people, especially children, and what we bring to the party is protein,” C.J. Merriman, president of MSAH, told Michigan Farm News after the check presentation at Michigan Farm Bureau headquarters in Lansing. 

“There are a lot of food banks and food pantries, but the one thing that they had the most difficulty in supplying is protein, and we can make it possible for them to get good quality venison, which is nutritious, tasty, and people love it.”

Merriman said the $15,000 will go toward processing fees. Since 1991, MSAH has donated more than 1.2 million pounds of ground venison to 5 million-plus adults and children in Michigan communities.

MFB’s Venison Donation Task Force started in April, operating with the primary goals of reducing the deer population, addressing childhood food insecurity, and increasing cross-company engagement. The group also elected to donate $10,000 to Hunters Feeding Michigan. 

In addition to the donations, the task force allocated $60,000 from the proposed budget to fund a handful of County Farm Bureau-led venison donation events. The group reviewed applications and made their final award recommendations with awards announced next week. 

According to Andrew Vermeesch, director of Public Policy for Michigan Farm Bureau, hunger is an issue that affects rural Michigan, and it’s one MFB has made a mission to help end.

“This is a win-win for all parties involved,” Vermeesch said. 

“Our communities will have more access to protein, which is essential to any diet, and the Sportsman Against Hunger can help nourish hungry adults and children. Additionally, having an overabundance of deer in Michigan and efforts like this help take deer out of fields and onto the family table.”