PRINTER'S NO. 2237
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
495
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, ARGALL, GREENLEAF, YUDICHAK, TEPLITZ,
BROWNE, GORDNER, BAKER, BOSCOLA AND BREWSTER,
NOVEMBER 16, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the "Hunters Sharing the
Harvest" program in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Hunters Sharing the Harvest" is celebrating its
25th anniversary with more than 1 million pounds of venison
donated to hungry families throughout Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, More than 1.8 million Pennsylvanians require food
assistance because they are classified as food insecure; and
WHEREAS, Since 1991, the Pennsylvania "Hunters Sharing the
Harvest" program, www.sharedeer.org, has effectively brought the
hunting public together to compassionately serve their local
communities and has been providing venison to regional food bank
systems to benefit needy residents throughout this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, The processed venison is redistributed to more than
4,000 local provider charities such as food pantries, missions,
homeless shelters, Salvation Army facilities and churches; and
WHEREAS, The overabundance of deer in certain regions of this
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Commonwealth has impacted our agricultural community, forest
industry, natural biodiversity and overall quality of life and
safety for many residents; and
WHEREAS, Wildlife management groups offer multiple deer tags,
longer seasons and special hunting opportunities that result in
extra deer being donated by the sportsmen and women; and
WHEREAS, For 25 years this unique program has provided an
annual average of more than 85,000 pounds of this nutritious,
high-protein meat to residents 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, the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, 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 Pennsylvania chapters of Safari Club
International, Friends of National Rifle Association,
Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks and Pennsylvania
Association of Meat Processors in encouraging hunters to share
their harvest; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the 25th anniversary of
the "Hunters Sharing the Harvest" program and commend its
dedication to providing meals for families in need across this
Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the residents of this
Commonwealth and especially individuals and groups that are most
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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 through "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.
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