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Hilsman’s Deer Cooler Finds New Way To Feed The Hungry

Bill Hilsman's local venison-donation program could serve as model for others.

GON Staff | September 5, 2005

The owner of one of Georgia’s most recognized deer coolers can add another feather to his cap. Bill Hilsman, who used to have an opening-day barbeque and a big-buck contest that made Hilsman’s Deer Cooler near McDonough a fixture to Piedmont hunters, began a program last year that provided venison and a cash donation to a local food bank.

Bill’s idea was simple — add an extra dollar to his fee for processing deer and use that money to pay for processing deer donated by hunters. Bill’s standard processing fee is $55, and he said he didn’t get any negative comments about the extra $1 charge.

In addition to providing 700 pounds of ground venison, Bill Hilsman’s program of charging $1 extra for every deer processed allowed him to donate $500 to Donna Crumbley, president of Helping In His Name Ministries, also know as The Food Pantry.

“In fact, I had some people who wanted to give more money, just to help with the program,” Bill said.

The result — 700 pounds of ground venison was donated to Helping In His Name Ministries, a local feed-the-hungry program near McDonough also known as The Food Pantry. In addition, Bill was able to donate a check for $500.

“The meat was such a nutritious addition to our food resources, especially at times when we had no other meat to give to clients,” said Donna Crumbley, president of Helping In His Name Ministries. The $500 donation enabled the organization to purchase 3,125 pounds of food from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, she said.

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