Medina's Generous Gesture to Local Food Banks

In Medina, Ohio, a recent decision by the city's finance committee has sparked interest. They've agreed to give $2, 000 to a local nonprofit called Farms and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. This group is based in Wayne County and focuses on processing donated deer meat for food banks. The city's archery program has been part of this initiative. Two deer, harvested through this program, have already been donated to the nonprofit. Mayor Dennis Hanwell highlighted the community benefit, stating that the processed meat is shared with Feeding Medina County. Jansen Wehrley, the Parks and Recreation Director, shared that the city has supported this organization before. He mentioned that the donation helps cover the cost of processing the deer. He also noted that participants from the archery program can donate deer and that two individuals have already done so. Wehrley also provided some background. In 2022, the nonprofit donated 400 pounds of venison to Feeding Medina County. He ensures that all archery permit holders are aware of this program and can participate if they wish. Councilor Regi Haire inquired about other deer processing facilities, mentioning some in Lorain County. Wehrley responded that while they could explore this, the Wayne County facility isn't overwhelmed with deer donations. Mayor Hanwell added that if they find another facility, they would want some of the processed meat to return to Medina County. This initiative shows how local programs can make a big impact. It's a great example of community support and resource sharing. The city's involvement highlights the importance of such programs in fighting hunger and utilizing local resources effectively.