THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, NOVEMBER 16, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Encouraging participation in the "Hunters Sharing the Harvest"

program in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Since 1991, the Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the

Harvest program, www.sharedeer.org, has effectively brought the

hunting public together to compassionately serve their

communities and has been providing venison to regional food bank

systems to benefit needy citizens throughout this Commonwealth;

and

WHEREAS, The overabundance of deer in certain regions of this

Commonwealth has impacted our agricultural community, forest

industry, natural biodiversity and overall quality of life and

safety for many citizens; and

WHEREAS, For more than 20 years this unique program has

provided an average of more than 85,000 pounds annually of this

nutritious, high-protein meat to citizens needing food

assistance through local area food banks, and now is calling on

all Pennsylvanians to assist in this program; and

WHEREAS, Further assistance is needed to provide funds to

offset the processing costs for venison and further extend

delivery systems to more quickly and efficiently reach needy

recipients; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly, Pennsylvania Game Commission

and the Department of Agriculture and the Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources have supported these efforts

and now join with more than 62 corporate and organizational

program partners, including Safari Club International,

Pennsylvania Chapters, Friends of the National Rifle Association

(NRA), the Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks and

the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors in encouraging

hunters to share their harvest through Pennsylvania's Hunters

Sharing the Harvest program; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the citizens of this

Commonwealth and especially individuals and groups that are most

concerned in supporting Hunters Sharing the Harvest in

Pennsylvania and extend its appreciation to the program's public

partners for joining in this challenge to distribute this

valuable component of our wildlife resources and fight hunger;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the Department of

Agriculture and others to continue providing information via

Internet websites and other means about donating big game and

other lawfully taken wildlife via Hunters Sharing the Harvest to

food banks, county and local government, municipalities,

sportsman's clubs and meat processors throughout this

Commonwealth and other individuals, nonprofit agencies,

charitable organizations and businesses requesting this

information.