News

In a January 29, 2010 article in the Calvert Recorder by Jeff Newman and a March 12, 2010 release in the Maryland Independent, the Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Board, Inc. announced its new partnership with Southern Maryland Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) as a result of a $5000 mini-grant received from the National Association of RC&D Councils.  

We are happy to report that Southern Maryland FHFH estimates 14,540 meals from 78 deer totaling 3,635 pounds of donated meat were supplemented with high protein, low-fat venison from the $5,000 in mini-grant funds. That is about 34 cents per meal to add quality protein to meals for those in need. These grants funds not only increased the quantity of meat available to supplement meals distributed at food distribution centers, but they also helped to extend the length of time Southern Maryland FHFH was able to donate venison to the centers and pantries by two months.

During the grant period, RC&D staff and Board Members visited several participating processing facilities and food pantries.   Processing facilities visited included: Rick’s Place Processing (Charles County), Wild Game Processing (St. Mary’s County), and Rowell’s Butcher Shop (Calvert County).   St. Paul’s Church in St. Mary’s County opened its doors for RC&D to visit as did the Southern Maryland Food Bank.   As part of the meat distribution and to maximize our target audience, RC&D and FHFH developed informational materials in both English and Spanish.

The RC&D Board was so impressed with the FHFH program that the Board of Directors elected to match the National Association’s mini-grant with a 100% donation that will double the impact of grant efforts.   Board Members presented the matching donation to Southern Maryland FHFH Coordinator Steve White at the St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District Annual Cooperators’ Dinner in February following a fantastic presentation about FHFH by Mr. White to those attending the dinner.  

On April 21, both Southern Maryland RC&D and FHFH held displays at the Southern Maryland Hunger Conference hosted by the Southern Maryland Food Bank. We look forward to developing new partnerships with other food pantries and distribution centers in concert with FHFH.

Southern Maryland RC&D visits the National Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Headquarters in Williamport, MD. From left to right: FHFH National Coordinator %u2013 Josh Wilson, Southern Maryland RC&D Program Officer %u2013 Franklin Holley; Southern Maryland RC&D USDA-NRCS Coordinator %u2013 Buddy Bowling; FHFH Executive Direction %u2013 Rick Wilson; Southern Maryland FHFH Coordinator %u2013 Steve White

To learn more about FHFH, visit their website at www.fhfh.org.

To view a video about the partnership between Southern Maryland RC&D and FHFH, click here