Creative ways to give back this holiday season

OSCEOLA, Ind. -- For everyone who may not have made it to the mall on Saturday, there are plenty of other ways you can give this holiday season.

ABC57 spent the afternoon with one Michiana store owner who says feeding a family is one of the best presents you can give.

DC Meats in Osceola participates in a program that donates deer to local food banks. The owner says the need is there, it’s just up to people to give back.

“It’s a way that we fight for what’s needed out there,” said DC Meats Owner Steve Gill.

He is talking about a program very close to his heart, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.

“That’s a way for us to give back to the community,” he said.

Licensed hunters bring in deer snd DC Meats grinds it, packages it, and sends it off to local food banks to feed hungry families.

And this year for the first time, the program is getting state funding.

That money will now cover the processing of 3000 deer, instead of just 200 in previous years.

Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathon Boyd said its impact is huge.

“600,000 or more, meals have been provided so far by this program. And we hope to see an increase,” said Boyd.

But unfortunately that hasn’t been the case at DC Meats. They have had a lot of donations, but not as many in recent years.

“We have fed approximately 10,200 meals, but that’s down, way down from what we did last year,” said Gill.

Last year they say they provided over 16,000 meals out of their store alone.

Officer Boyd says it is a perfect way for hunters to give back this Christmas.

“They can continue to hunt and then possibly donate that deer to a participating butcher shop which will help feed hungry Hoosiers this holiday season,” said Boyd.

DC Meats accepts other meats, like beef, pork and chicken year round if you would like to donate.