COVINGTON — The Georgia Wildlife Federation, through the Foundation’s State Giving Program, last week received a $35,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to assist with Georgia Hunters for the Hungry.   
The grant will help in processing more than 20,000 pounds of donated venison that will be delivered to food banks throughout Georgia.
“We are very excited that the Walmart Foundation decided to address the urgent need faced by families all over Georgia from food insecurity,” said Todd Holbrook, president and CEO of the Georgia Wildlife Federation. “Their support of Georgia Hunters for the Hungry will provide more than 60,000 meals throughout the state this year.
“This program exemplifies the best of our outdoor traditions in Georgia, and we owe the Walmart Foundation a debt of gratitude for their focus on this growing problem.”
Georgia Hunters for the Hungry is a partnership between the GWF, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Food Bank Association.
Started in 1993, the program allows Georgia sportsmen to donate harvested deer to Georgia food banks after being processed in state-inspected facilities. To date, Georgia sportsmen have donated more than 300,000 pounds of ground venison to food banks around the state.
The program runs through hunting season, from September to February.  Hunters can find information at www.gwf.org.