WSMV Channel 4 Wildlife group donates 63 tons of venison in 2011

Wildlife group donates 63 tons of venison in 2011

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Wildlife Federation reports donating about 63 tons of venison to hungry Tennesseans in 2011.

The lean, high-protein venison was donated as part of the Hunters for the Hungry program.

The federation said in a news release Wednesday the donations to local food pantries provided more than 500,000 meals. The meat was up 13% over the previous season, the federation said.

Grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Plough Foundation helped fund processing and chest freezers at key distribution points.

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