GET TO KNOW
Hunters for the Hungry
Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana transforms the state's outdoor heritage into a hunger-fighting force, connecting hunters and anglers with food banks across Louisiana. Through programs like Clean Out Your Freezer Day and the Freshly Harvested Game Program, they provide vital protein to thousands of families in need.
Visit Hunters for the Hungry's Website
Hunters with a Mission
Long coined Sportsman’s Paradise, Louisiana is brimming with fish and wildlife as diverse as the people who reside here. Living off the abundance of the land and waterways is not only a tradition, but a way of life for many Louisianans. It is this culture that fueled the dream of Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana founders Richard and Judy Campbell to take advantage of this plentiful bounty and utilize it as a tool to help fight hunger in our state.
In 1994, while on a hunting trip outside of Louisiana, the couple learned of a similar program and knew the concept would be successful at home. Upon their return, they quickly assembled a group of hunters to discuss a donation of harvested game to a local shelter in the Baton Rouge area. Donations within that first year were so great that the shelter’s dining hall storage room was pushed to the limits, prompting the group to reach out to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and formalize the nonprofit.
Today, the organization spans all 64 parishes in Louisiana, providing thousands of meals annually. What started as a local effort now serves the entire state, mobilizing hunters, anglers, and residents to combat hunger through generosity and teamwork.
Sportsman’s Paradise
Louisiana is uniquely positioned within the country, boasting unmatched access to the outdoors, a myriad of wildlife, and over 900,000 resident hunters and anglers. In addition to being a favored pastime, the sportsman’s industry is a major driver in the state, supporting nearly 24,000 jobs, providing over $165 million annually in local and state taxes, and providing an economic impact of over $1.6 billion. Thanks to Hunters for the Hungry, it is also having a significant impact in the fight against food insecurity across the state.
Feeding our Communities
While Louisiana food banks work tirelessly to meet the demand of those in need, one in six people in the state still struggle with hunger, affecting over 750,000 citizens. While the percentage of households in Louisiana that lack consistent access to sufficient food has dropped in recent years, the state remains far above the national average, highlighting the need for continued investments that help supply residents with the resources they need.
Hunters for the Hungry’s mission is simple and open to any and all Louisiana residents, even if you’re not an outdoorsman! Donations of all proteins, including beef, pork, and poultry, are not only welcomed and accepted, but also needed.
Programs for a Cause
Key to Hunters for the Hungry’s success is making donating as easy as possible. Major programs from the organization include the annual Clean Out Your Freezer Day where sportsmen are encouraged to make room in their freezer for what they will be bringing home in the upcoming hunting and fishing season. Thirty-five drop locations are set throughout the state and all properly packaged protein is accepted.
Another key program is the Freshly Harvested Game Program where hunters can harvest a deer and drop it at one of the partner processors. The processor handles the preparation and packaging and then drops the meat at the community food bank or shelter. There is no cost to the hunter for this, as the processing fee is covered by Hunters for the Hungry.
Conservation and Education
Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana not only focuses on the harvesting of wild game and fish, but also works to ensure that that bounty is available for future generations to enjoy. Outside of food donations, the organization works to involve youth, teaching them service, stewardship, and a love for the land. Through teaching management practices and preservation methods, Hunters for the Hungry Louisiana is fulfilling an immediate need while working to maintain an available food source for the future.
