WSIL-TV 3 ABC
Local News
Last updated 10:37 pm CT February 08, 2010.
Sportsmen Against Hunger
by Kevin Hunsperger
MURPHYSBORO, IL--It's been a busy month for the Murphysboro food pantry.
Director Jack Cunneen says in a typical month, the pantry provides between 325 and 350 families with food.
This month, about 385 families have come in for help.
"Most people who come in here, even if they get food stamps, a lot are still under the poverty level," Cunneen said.
The pantry tries to provide people with salmon, tuna, beef stew, and beans.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides just over 300 chickens a month, but that's not always enough. That's why the Murphysboro pantry, and others like it depend on the Sportsmen Against Hunger program.
It's an initiative aimed at providing food pantries with extra meat.
"The state pays for the processing. They try to get the hunter to pay $35 and the state pays for the remaining $15," said Cunneen.
Processing plants in West Frankfort and Jackson county ground up the venison and send it out to pantries in southern Illinois.
Cunneen says the donations are critical to helping those in need.
"It's that extra meat, we don't have the budget to buy ground beef or hot dogs. We can do it on occasion," said Cunneen.
To donate to the Murphysboro food pantry, you can drop off money or food items at 1344 N. 7th Street.
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