ADRIAN — Hunters Helping Lenawee, a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation, had another record year for donations of venison to help local families in need.

As of Jan. 30, a total of 12,652 ½  pounds of venison had been donated to Lenawee food pantries and community meal programs. 

That’s nearly 2½  times the amount donated in the same period last year and equals meat for at least 50,610 meals.

 The Hunters Helping Lenawee program has provided more than 130,500 meals since its inception.

 Nearly 15 percent of Lenawee County residents face food insecurity. With the ability to feed at least four people with each pound of venison donated, Hunters Helping Lenawee is providing lean, quality protein for local families.

Hunters Helping Lenawee began in 2010 with initial funding from individual donors and grants from local foundations, including the Lenawee Community Foundation.

The first year of the program, just over 1,200 pounds of venison was donated. That number has increased tenfold over the life of the program. 

Participating deer processors include Exact Wildlife Creations in Tipton, Kasper’s Hickory House in Clinton, and Palmer’s Deer Processing in Britton, as well as the addition this year of Monahan’s Meat Market in Adrian, which has had a significant impact on venison donation to the program.

“Hunters Helping Lenawee shows what’s possible when generosity and community come together,” said Bronna Kahle, president and CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation. “From hunters and processors to food pantries, meal programs, volunteers, and donors, so many caring people make this program thrive. This commitment helps ensure local families, individuals, and seniors have access to nutritious meals — strengthening the health, happiness, and hope of our community.”

For details, go to lenaweecommunityfoundation.com.