Ohio Hunters Will Donate Venison to Feed Residents

The state's Field to Food Bank program prepares to provide thousands of venison servings for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Hunting

Ohio Hunters Will Donate Venison to Feed Residents

Live Poll

Is using donated game meat an effective way to address food insecurity in your area?

The Ohio Division of Wildlife is preparing its Field to Food Bank program to address food insecurity for the 2026 Thanksgiving season. Hunters donate harvested deer at designated sites for processing into venison, which is then distributed to pantries across the state.

Why it matters

This initiative helps combat food insecurity by utilizing harvested venison to supply high-protein meals to local food banks. By connecting hunters with processing facilities, the program turns extra harvests into thousands of servings for residents in need during the holiday.

One donated deer provides up to 200 servings of food. Last year, hunters donated 182 deer, which resulted in more than 36,000 servings provided to Ohio food banks.

The players

Ohio Division of Wildlife

This state agency manages the hunting programs and coordinates the transport of donated venison to processing facilities.

Ohio Penal Industries

This entity provides the processing services required to turn raw harvested deer into venison for food banks.

Ohio Association of Foodbanks

This network manages the distribution of venison to various food banks and pantries throughout the state.

The details

Hunters contribute to the initiative by dropping off harvested deer at specific locations throughout the state. From there, Division of Wildlife personnel transport the animals to Ohio Penal Industries, where the venison is processed before the Ohio Association of Foodbanks handles the final distribution.

Hunters donated 182 deer during the 2025 season.
The program is currently preparing for Thanksgiving 2026.

Culture Shift

The Field to Food Bank program follows the national trend of venison donation programs managed by state wildlife agencies to leverage local resources for food security. This initiative represents a broader move toward utilizing recreational hunting outputs to address regional nutritional gaps.

Residents struggling with food insecurity can access these venison donations through local pantries supplied by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Hunters looking to participate should identify their closest designated drop-off site to ensure their harvest is processed correctly for the program.

The takeaway

Participating in the donation program is a direct way for hunters to support their neighbors during the holiday season. Those interested in the program should contact the Division of Wildlife to confirm current drop-off requirements and site locations.