Local hunters can ‘Share the Harvest’ by dropping deer at area meat processors

As deer season gets underway, Ozark County hunters have an opportunity to do more than fill their freezers. They can help fill the tables of local families, too.

Through Missouri’s Share the Harvest program, successful sportsmen can donate all or part of the venison from their harvested deer to help feed people facing hunger. The donated meat benefits food banks and food pantries across the state, including the Ozark County Food Pantry, which receives several hundred pounds of venison each year.

“The program makes a great impact here,” said Anita Chappell, Ozark County Food Pantry Administrator. “By the end of December, the ‘Share the Harvest’ deer meat is our source of meat for our neighbors in Ozark County. This deer meat makes lots of bowls of chili, soups and even meatloaf.”

Chappell said that not having a local meat processor located in Ozark County has hampered the donations a bit in recent years. “But we very much appreciate hunters going the extra miles to donate their deer to the Ozark County Food Pantry. When donating, please advise them it is designated to go to our facility here in Gainesville.”

Share the Harvest is one of the nation's first venison-donation programs. It began in 1992 when Missouri hunters sought a way to share their harvest with neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Since then, the program has provided more than 6 million pounds of venison to Missourians in need.

In recent years, the program has averaged about 5,000 donated deer annually, providing approximately 250,000 pounds of venison to families across the state each year.

The need remains significant. Nearly 800,000 Missourians experienced food insecurity in 2025, increasing demand for food banks, food pantries and other charitable feeding programs.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and its partners are working to expand the program, with a goal of 6,500 donated deer during the 2026 season and 10,000 in 2027.

“Share the Harvest brings together Missouri’s hunting and conservation traditions with an opportunity to help our neighbors in need,” said Jake Hindman, MDC’s Share the Harvest expansion coordinator. “Donations to Share the Harvest help strengthen food security, support conservation efforts, and continue a proud Missouri tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.”

How hunters can participate

Hunters can donate a whole field-dressed deer by taking it to a participating Share the Harvest meat processor. The processor prepares the donated venison for distribution through food banks and food pantries.

Donating is free for hunters, although voluntary contributions are welcome. Program funding and sponsors help cover the processing costs.

New this season, the program is testing several changes intended to make donating easier, including refrigerated drop-off coolers at select locations, the elimination of required hunter donation fees and increased reimbursements to participating processors.

Hunters interested in donating should contact a participating processor for instructions before dropping off a deer. Some locations offer after-hours drop-off options, making it easier for hunters to participate outside regular business hours.

A little extra can go a long way

Venison is a naturally lean source of protein, and donated deer can make a meaningful difference for families needing food assistance. Through Share the Harvest, hunters can help put nutritious food to use while carrying on a tradition of generosity that reaches beyond the deer woods.

Hunters can also support the program through voluntary financial contributions when purchasing hunting permits or by donating through the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

For Ozark County hunters, donating a deer is one more way to share the harvest with the community. The meat that might otherwise stay in a hunter’s freezer can help provide meals for local families throughout the year.

Learn more about the program through the Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov/share or the Conservation Federation of Missouri at confedmo.org/share-the-harvest.

Have a deer to donate? Nearest Share-the-Harvest locations

Ozark County hunters can donate venison through Missouri's Share the Harvest program to help provide meat for local families served by the Ozark County Food Pantry. The pantry receives several hundred pounds of donated venison each year. 

Nearby participating meat processors:

• P & P Heritage Meats (West Plains): 611 St. Louis St., West Plains; 417-217-6089; After-hours drop-off available. Call for instructions.

• VonAllmen Processing (Koshkonong): 3809 U.S. 63, Koshkonong; 417-505-8999; 24-hour deer drop-off cooler available. Follow instructions posted on the cooler door.

• P & P Heritage Meats (Cabool): 90 Industrial Park Road, Cabool; 417-962-2112; After-hours drop-off available. Call for instructions.

• Williams Meat (Norwood): 725 South Eagle, Norwood; 417-746-1969; No after-hours drop-off.

• Oldfield Packing (Sparta): 192 Andrews Road, Sparta; 417-634-3943; No after-hours drop-off.

Find participating processors and program information through the Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov/share. Donating venison through Share the Harvest is free for hunters. Program funding and sponsors help cover processing costs.