In the heat of summer you’re probably not thinking about deer season yet.

But, the volunteer committee of The Deer Project through Good Samaritan Ministries has been busy making plans for this year’s hunting season to reach more hunters and bring more protein to the plates of those at risk of hunger in Brown County.

This year, Big Country Ford has partnered with House of Wheels to procure a 4-wheeler to raffle from now until October 4. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit The Deer Project.

The red Yamaha Grizzly 300 which retails for $4,695 is currently on display at Big Country Ford but will be moved periodically to different locations. Please watch the Good Samaritan Ministries’ Facebook page to see where the vehicle will be on display. Tickets are available at Big Country Ford, Good Samaritan Ministries, House of Wheels and at various other locations to be announced.

“We are so pleased that Big Country Ford decided to provide a 4-wheeler and host this raffle for The Deer Project again this year along with House of Wheels,” said Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “Each year the raffle they hold helps us to reach even more people by sharing what The Deer Project is and how our hunters can help provide much needed protein to food-insecure families in Brown County.”

Tickets for the 4-wheeler are $10 each or 12 for $100. As the 4-wheeler moves to various businesses in town, tickets will be available at those locations as well. Look for announcements on the Good Samaritan Ministries’ Facebook page or local print and on-air public service announcements.

The drawing will be held Saturday, October 4 at Big Country Ford. More details will be available as the time draws near.

The Deer Project is a program unique to our area that partners hunters, processors and donors together to provide much needed protein to Brown County residents at risk of hunger.

Hunters simply take their legally harvested, tagged and field-dressed deer to one of four participating processors: Lone Start Processing and Taxidermy in Owens, M&M Processing in Zephyr, Perks Processing in Brownwood or Santa Anna Custom Processing. Tell them you want to donate to The Deer Project. The processors then grind the meat into two-pound chub packs that will go into the freezers of the GSM food pantry and onto the plates of local families.

It costs the hunters nothing but the time it takes to bring the deer to the processors. The reduced rate the processors offer is paid for by donations from local businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals.

“We try to make the process as simple as possible so that the hunters get to do what they enjoy, it’s easy for the processors and people who need a quality source of lean protein get that as well,” said Bostick.  “It’s a win for everyone.”

For more information about The Deer Project, please call 325-643-2273 or 325-203-2489 or go to goodsambwd.org.