Ending Hunger Corps DACF H4H Programing VISTA

Have you ever wanted to be a key player in an innovative state program that fights food insecurity? Maine food pantries and soup kitchens rely on multiple food streams to stock their shelves and freezers and they all need reliable sources of lean meat. Maine¿s Hunters for the Hungry (H4H) program fills that need. H4H is a program administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The purpose of the program is to secure wild game meat to provide to Maine¿s over 200 hunger relief organizations across the state. Hunters and landowners can donate their harvest, or a portion, to the program. H4H will match them up with a processor close to the hunter¿s location, coordinate the meat getting to a pantry, kitchen or shelter, and pay for the processing. Hunting has a long tradition in our state. Hunters are passionate about the outdoors and about giving back. Some hunters hunt just for the H4H program. They can pursue their passion and contribute to their communities. With 1 in 6 Mainers regularly experiencing hunger, H4H recognizes that there are many food-insecure neighbors with dietary or medical needs who rely on lean, high-protein meat.
The VISTA would identify opportunities for collaboration with hunters, and fish and game clubs to increase the amount of game meat available for donation. Recruiting hunters and food processors to the program, producing educational materials, and engaging populations through social media will be consistent goals. After graduating from Maine¿s GIS training program, the candidate would use these skills to identify areas for program improvement and map food insecurity hotspots with an emphasis on improving the sustainability of the H4H program. Afterward, the candidate would share success stories and lessons learned with relevant stakeholders to inspire and encourage further participation in game meat donation initiatives.