Good Samaritan Ministries of Brownwood is moving along with its 2nd annual Deer Project to help feed the hungry of Brown County. Hunters can donate a deer to help feed local families in need. Those interested can take the deer to one of the participating deer processors and tell them it is for Good Samaritan Ministries. It is helpful if the hunter can pay the $35 processing fee, but it is not required. 1 deer rendered averages 30 pounds (480 oz.). Meat is ground and placed in 2 lb. chubs. Each family receives 2 pounds of venison. A recommended serving of venison is 4 oz.
In 2008, The Deer Project brought in 5,229 pounds of meat to the freezers of Good Samaritan and ultimately to the tables of the needy. The 2008 harvest provided 20,916 meals!
For the 2009-10 hunting season, Good Samaritan is looking to quadruple the amount from last year. So far over 1000 pounds of deer meat has been donated, but they are looking for much more.
The recent Deer Pasture Golf Tournament benefit held by Good Samaritan raised over $4000 to help pay for processing fees.
The Deer Project began in the 2008 hunting season due to concerned businessmen and hunters who saw an opportunity to partner with Good Samaritan Ministries’ Food Pantry to provide protein to fill Good Samaritan’s freezers through the harvest of white-tail deer which are plentiful in the area. Efforts were coordinated with deer processors, hunters, local hunting organizations, high-fence ranchers, and supporters of Good Samaritan Ministries to develop The Deer Project.
So hunters don’t let a deer tag go to waste! If you do not ordinarily use all of your doe tags, go ahead and use them and drop off the deer to one of the following processors. It is just that easy and will help many families in Brown County.
Processors Participating in the Deer Project Are:
M & M Deer Processing
4300 CR 278
Zephyr
325.739.2211
Perk’s Deer Processing
5100 FM 2126
Brownwood
325.643.5022
Santa Anna Wild Game Processing
503 Wallis Street
Santa Anna
325.348.9121
Ted’s Deer Processing
9901 Hwy 183 N
Owens
325.643.1814