Virginia Hunters Who Care Inc

The Hunters for the Hungry program was founded in 1991 by David H. Horne. Its mission is to supply high-protein venison to individuals in need through feeding programs, which are offered at no cost to the recipients.

For over 34 years, since 1991, the program has proudly processed and distributed more than 8.3 million pounds of venison. This incredible amount translates to over 33.4 million quarter-pound servings, nourishing the Smith Mountain Lake area and surrounding communities throughout Virginia. This high-protein, low-fat meat is offered at no cost to men, women, children, the elderly, the homeless, and veterans, thanks to the dedication of missions, churches, food banks, pantries, and other compassionate organizations that partner with the Hunters for the Hungry program.

The program accepts deer donated by hunters, farmers, and municipalities participating in herd management efforts across the Commonwealth. These deer are skinned, processed, packaged, and frozen. The meat is then distributed at no cost to local feeding programs that participate in the Hunters for the Hungry initiative. This high-protein resource supports these agencies, which often have strained budgets, by providing them with lean red meat—an item that is typically difficult for them to obtain.

In the Bedford and Franklin County area, we collaborate with many feeding programs to support our community. We provide essential lean venison to these valuable programs at no cost. This support helps them manage their already strained budgets, supplies a much-needed source of protein, and enables them to care for their clients by offering this lean meat without charge.

Our program is currently processing venison at a cost of $1.63 per pound, which amounts to 37.5 cents per quarter-pound serving. For every dollar raised or received, the program can provide three servings of venison. This is a highly cost-effective option compared to similar cuts of beef, which currently range from $5.00 to $22.00 per pound.

In 2025, the program distributed a total of 205,248 pounds of venison, equating to 820,992 quarter-pound servings. Over the past five years, the program has averaged processing and distributing 188,165 pounds annually, totaling 752,659 quarter-pound servings of essential lean protein for those in need.

The program is committed to accepting every deer made available during the 2026 fiscal year, ensuring we have the necessary funds to cover processing costs.  This initiative empowers us to transform a God-given, renewable natural resource into healthy, lean red meat for God's most precious resource: our fellow man.