Hunters in West Central Alberta have once again helped out the Mountain View Food Bank through the Hunters for Tomorrow program.
This year's hunting season saw more than 1,600 pounds of game donated.
“Proceeds are paid by Alberta Professional Outfitters Society and a number of other groups,” said District Fish and Wildlife officer Adam Mirus. “They pay for whatever animals are brought in to be processed by the butchers and then given to the food bank. “The hunters donate a portion or all of their game and there is no cost to them. They just drop it off at the butcher and then it is inspected by Fish and Wildlife officers, and then it is processed by the butcher.”
Local butchers Savoury Meats, First Choice Meats and Kerik's Meat Market were involved in the program again this year, he said.
The program has been running in the Sundre-Olds area for four years.
“One of the things that is hard for the food bank to get is meat,” he said. “Hunters are putting forth a good effort.”
Food Bank director Pat Graham says the program is very popular with clients.
“Some people even ask us, ‘Did you get any wild meat yet?'” said Graham. “Meat is one of our most expensive things to buy. This program helps us greatly. It is a super good program.”
