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                In 1988 the Kentucky deer herds had grown beyond carrying capacity in some areas and biologists were encouraging additional doe harvest. This led to discussions between a few avid hunters who wanted to oblige wildlife management but had concerns about what to do with extra venison that they didn’t have room to store or would exceed what their small families could consume. Sharing nature’s bounty with those less fortunate seemed a natural choice and after a bit of research they discovered that donating meat to the needy was plausible. That fall Hunters for the Hungry was born as hunters joined with processors and food banks to supply donated meat to the needy. The organization name would come later.

                In the 1990’s the project came to the attention of the Kentuckiana chapter of Safari Club International, a group of dedicated hunting enthusiast and forward thinking conservationists.  The chapter would then contribute funding and manpower assisting with a volunteer effort to process the venison donated by hunters.  Chapter members would assemble at a local processor, don white aprons, wash their hands and cut meat off bones of donated deer for 3-4 hours. This was ground into burger and frozen for later distribution to Wayside Christian Mission and other local charities. The idea spread across the country and became tremendously successful in states where sufficient funding was generated.

                In July 2000 Roy Grimes, then Deputy Commissioner for Kentucky Department of Fish, and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) approached the local Safari Club Board and asked whether they would be willing to organize sportsmen’s groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Foundation, Quail Unlimited, United Bowhunters of KY, and League of Kentucky Sportsmen into an organization that could build the KHFH program and make it a statewide program.

                The formal organization Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry Inc. was incorporated that July with the support of KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources which included David Yancy and the Commissioner at the time, Tom Bennett. The first Executive Director, Brent Harrel, was hired for KHFH and the founding Board of Directors was elected, it included: Mike Ohlmann, Ivan Schell, Chuck Hartley, William Hook, Lowell Stevens, Rowland Beers, and Schuyler Olt. These individuals represented a variety of conservation organizations and began work to expand KHFH into a statewide organization.

                The charitable 501(c)(3) organization grew during the initial season; the program processed approximately 20,000 pounds of venison representing 160,000 meals for the needy through 40 meat processors state-wide. As was true in the early days funding continues to be the biggest limiting factor.  In recent years the average harvest has grown to 60-70,000 pounds of meat and is up to 560,000 meals per year.

                As the growth continues the need for funding grows and we urge you to please consider making a donation today.