Expanding food access to Illinois residents
One in 10 people in Illinois struggle with hunger every day, including one in eight children. The Illinois Deer Donation Program provides a pathway to expand community access to lean protein throughout East-Central Illinois and reduce barriers to healthier lifestyles.
This pilot program will connect meat processors, hunters, and food pantries in twelve central Illinois Counties: Clay, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, and Shelby. By engaging hunters to donate their deer and meat processors to produce ground venison, a local source of lean protein will be available to food pantry clients. Clients will also receive recipes and resources from Illinois Extension to help them prepare venison at home, which might be unfamiliar to some individuals and families.
Become a partner
Hunters, meat processors, and food pantries can connect with the project to make a local impact. Fill out our partner form at go.illinois.edu/ContactDeerDonation to indicate your interest and start the process.
For more information about the program or becoming a partner, contact Meredith Probst at maepley@illinois.edu.
Donate today
Your donation as a sponsor helps to reimburse meat processors for their time and effort.
Donate Online: Access secure and confidential online giving through University of Illinois Foundation. Visit go.uillinois.edu.give, select “Other”, and enter “University of Illinois Extension, HEAT Deer Donation" to begin.
Donate by Mail: write a check and mail it to one of the local Illinois Extension county offices below.
Macon County Extension Office
Attn: HEAT Deer Donation
3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd.
Decatur, IL 62521
Effingham County Extension Office
Attn: HEAT Deer Donation
1209 Wenthe Drive
Effingham, IL 62401
Coles County Extension Office
Attn: HEAT Deer Donation
809 Broadway
Mattoon, IL 61938
Find a local contact
DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties:
Caitlin Mellendorf
chuth2@illinois.edu | 217-877-6042
Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, and Shelby Counties
Meredith Probst
maepley@illinois.edu | 217-345-7034
Clay, Effingham, Fayette, and Jasper Counties
Michelle Fombelle
mfombell@illinois.edu | 217-347-7773
Media and News
- Hunting Illinois Podcast (Illinois Learn to Hunt): Apple | Spotify | YouTube
- Illinois Deer Donation Program provides community access to lean protein: WCIA's CILivingTV, posted 04/26/2022
The program is funded in part by the Health Equity Achieved Together Project (HEAT), a multi-disciplinary collaboration with University of Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material funded by USDA’s SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. University of Illinois | United States Department of Agriculture | Local Extension Councils Cooperating.