With the start of general deer season set for Nov. 5, Good Samaritan Ministries held its annual Abundant Living – Simple Giving Chili Luncheon Wednesday at Teddy’s Brewhaus in conjunction with the Deer Project.

The Deer Project, which began in 2008, partners hunters, processors and donors together to provide lean protein to those in Brown County through the Good Samaritan Food Pantry. At a rate of $1.40 per pound, the processors will then grind the meat into two-pound chub packs ready to be picked up and put in the freezers of GSM. It costs the hunters nothing. One deer provides approximately 100 servings of lean, healthy protein and since the 2008-09 hunting season GSM has distributed over 130,000 pounds of ground venison to families who might not have been able to afford quality protein.

“It’s a time for us to take the message of the Deer Project outside of our warehouse where we had it every year before, so we’re very thankful to everyone who came out,” said GSM Executive Director Leesa Stephens. “We are so appreciative to Jeff and Tracy Tucker for allowing us to have the Deer Project lunch here this year. The atmosphere lends itself to the Deer Project. All of the proceeds from this lunch will go to cover processing costs for the Deer Project. Last year we processed over 19,000 pounds, so we’re hoping for a good year again this year.”

For those who were unable to attend the luncheon, donations can still be made toward the Deer Project.

“You can still donate to the Deer Project online at goodsambwd.org or you can come by 305 Clark Street and donate, or you can mail a check,” Stephens said.

The six processors partnering with GSM this year are Lone Star Processing in Owens, Santa Anna Processing, Potter’s Processing in Cross Plains, Double R in Brownwood, Full Draw in Rising Star and new addition this year – Broken O Processing in Comanche.

“If your deer lease happens to be around the area but not necessarily in Brown County, all you have to do is drop off a legally tagged, legally harvested deer at any of those processors and tell them you want it to go to the Deer Project and they’ll be happy to take that deer from you,” Stephens said.

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