By Rick Counts, Executive Director, South Carolina Hunters for the Hungry
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to travel to Detroit with our Board Chair, Bob Williams, for the 2025 American Sportsmen Hunger Relief Alliance (ASHRA) Conference. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources hosted it at their impressive Outdoor Adventure Center—a space dedicated to connecting people to the outdoors in the heart of the city.
This conference brought together leaders from similar programs across the country—people who, like us, believe that no one should go hungry when there’s good meat to share. We heard from teams in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Tennessee, and others, exchanging insights on processor recruitment, deer herd management, safe meat handling, and how to better communicate our mission.
What stood out most to me was how aligned we all are, no matter which part of the country we’re serving. We’re all facing the same challenges: keeping up with demand, finding sustainable funding, and ensuring that we do right by the hunters and processors who make our work possible.
We also toured Grace Centers of Hope, a nonprofit that uses donated venison to serve vulnerable families every day. We sat down with folks at Deer Camp Coffee Roasters—one of several businesses supporting hunger relief in their own way. This experience reminded me of just how creative and community-driven this work really is.
I came home feeling encouraged, inspired, and ready to apply what I learned right here in South Carolina. Our goal is simple: to feed more people, build stronger partnerships, and make the most of every deer donated. I’m proud of the progress we’re making and grateful for the opportunity to learn from others on a similar path.
Thank you for standing by us. There’s more work ahead—and we’re just getting started.
