With hopefully the last bit of frigid, wintry weather behind us, most have already begun looking forward to the warmth of spring days ahead. Deer season is but a distant memory in most of our minds, but at Good Samaritan Ministries, the thought of the generosity of the hunters who used their own tags to donate deer to The Deer Project, providing fresh, lean protein to friends and neighbors who have fallen on hard times, warms our hearts more than thoughts of sunshine and Spring days.
This season’s Deer Project brought in 10,480 pounds of venison! That’s 4,431 more pounds than last season!
“The numbers this year are amazing,” said Misty Bowers, Public Relations Director for GSM, “But what humbles us more is the fact that an increase in numbers means more hunters became involved with the project and took an active role in donating food to those in need in their own community.”
Part of the success of this year’s Deer Project comes from taking some of the pressure off of local hunters by allowing them to take their deer to the three participating processors and donate it at no charge to them. In return, GSM paid $1 per pound for the processing.
“This is also something we couldn’t have done without our three processors working with us to offer processing at $1 per pound,” said Bowers. “Combining the generosity of our local hunters, processors and those who donated financially to the project, this year’s Deer Project is the most successful since the project began three years ago.”
This season’s participating processors were M&M Deer Processing in Zephyr, Ted’s Deer Processing in Owens and Santa Anna Wild Game Processing.
“No amount of thanks could ever adequately express our gratitude to all of those involved with The Deer Project, but we sincerely offer it anyway,” said Bowers. “Yet again, it seems as the needs of those we strive to help have increased, so has the grace and generosity of our amazing community. It really humbles us to see the Lord at work in such a way.”
And the needs have increased. In December, more than 1,200 families came to the GSM food pantry. Though those who work at GSM expected that number to be high, it was a record number of families.
In January, just more than 1,000 families picked up their stipend of groceries; 56 of those had never been to GSM before. That’s almost 200 more families needing help than during the same time last year.
The generosity of the local community has allowed GSM to provide food, clothing and financial assistance to each person who walks through the front doors and to keep up with the increasing need.
As GSM is sharing thanks with the hunters who made this season such a huge success, we’d also like to include a very special thank you to a few of the hunters who have made The Deer Project such a successful program since its inception three years ago.
One reason The Deer Project has been so successful is because it was developed by hunters for hunters in order to meet a need in the community.
GSM gives Kirk Wall credit for being the brain child behind The Deer Project though Wall would be the first to tell anyone that the reason the program is successful is because it was a God-inspired idea and he and the other guys involved just put hands and feet to that idea.
“There wouldn’t be a Deer Project without Kirk Wall, Weldon Wilson, Kirby Cabler and Charlie Cabler,” said Bowers. “These guys took the idea and practically built it with their bare hands, rallied support and have been involved along each step of the way to see how we can improve the program year after year. They have picked up deer from ranches, talked to processors, dropped off flyers and brochures, built a freezer and have been the best form of advertisement we could ever hope for. And we would certainly like for them, and the entire community, to know how much we appreciate all they have done and continue to do.”
If anyone would like more information on The Deer Project or to learn about any of the programs at GSM, they may call the office at 643-2273.
