BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR) — The Future Farmers of America Chapter at Liberty High School in Bedford County will hold a deer drive on Saturday November 23 at the Bedford Co-op. Hunters may donate deer there between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. All donations will go to Hunters for the Hungry.
“This is our second time doing it,” said Liberty FFA member Carlene Gilliam. “It’s a way to get families food, and not have to worry about what’s going to be for dinner or even if there will be anything for dinner. It gives people that reassurance they’ll have food on the table.”
Last year, the Liberty FFA collected more than 360 pounds of venison. That translated to roughly 1,400 individual quarter pound servings.
“What a blessing,” exclaimed Hunters for the Hungry Director Gary Arrington. “It warms our hearts to know that these young people, they’re invested in the community.”
In addition to feeding those in need, FFA members also learn another valuable lesson, keeping nature in balance. When deer populations get out of control, they can present problems for crop and livestock production. Controlling deer populations to keep them in balance is a good farming practice.
“Number one, we can manage the deer herd,” said Arrington. “Make sure it’s a viable deer herd, and a healthy one, but most importantly they care about their fellow man.”
