Venison tacos feed 2,000 people at CCS

Intermountain Catholic

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Volunteers from the Utah Mule Deer Foundation partnered with the Sportsman Channel's Hunt Fish Feed program to feed 2,000 people in need at a CCS dinner in which venison tacos were part of the menu. IC photos/Laura Vallejo

SALT LAKE CITY — The Sportsman Channel and Mule Deer Foundation teamed up for the Hunt Fish Feed event, which served a special venison dinner to 2,000 of those in need at Catholic Community Services on Feb. 8.

Because the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo was going to be in Salt Lake City and they received an invitation from CCS to help, they decided that the Hunt Fish Feed program should help those in need in the city, said Michelle Scheuermann from the Sportsman Channel.

Hunt Fish Feed was created by the Sportsman Channel. It is a unique outreach program that collects game meat and fish donated by sportsmen to feed those struggling with hunger across America. At the Salt Lake City event, 600 pounds of venison was donated by local sportsmen through the Mule Deer Foundation.

"We first decide to go where the needs were, so we hit L.A., Detroit and Washington D.C., feeding thousands of people, and then people started coming to us, and groups starting coming to us and they said, ‘Would you come here? Would you do this for me?’" said Scheuermann. "For example, here we are partnering with CCS because the convention is in town, so it’s a joint venture. We have a lot of volunteers here because of the Mule Deer Foundation."

The invitation from CCS was a perfect fit for the program, said Scheuermann, who likes helping people.

"I am a Catholic and it’s just really interesting and unique how I can tie my life with my work because I am working right now, but you know I am helping. Whenever I get to go to Catholic shelters that’s like double dipping."

"We are grateful to Sportsman Channel and the Mule Deer Foundation for bringing their fine cuisine to the hungry patrons at Catholic Community Services," said Dennis Kelsch, CCS Basic Needs Services Director in a press statement. "This is a rare treat for many of our clients, and we are excited they got this opportunity to have a dinner cooked by renowned chefs."

The Hunt Fish Feed menu on Feb. 8 at CCS was venison tacos, salad and brownies.

"It’s so great for persons like this to be able to come and help cook and serve dinner," said Lauren McCarty, CCS public relations coordinator. "The food is coming from local hunters, local fishermen. It’s local food, and especially so different from what we usually are able to get people, so it’s a treat."

Volunteers from all over the United States gathered in the kitchen at CCS’ St. Vincent de Paul dining hall in Salt Lake City, cutting tomatoes and lettuce, or helping season the meat.

"On the eve of our annual meetings and Western Hunting & Conservation Expo this week at the Salt Palace, as members and other hunters join us from across North America, we are proud to share the bounty of the hunt," said Miles Moretti, CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation, in a press statement.

Over 13,000 meals in 13 different cities have been served by Hunt Fish Feed.

"They have always said when you give, you get back hands full. I don’t think people really understand that, so they don’t do it," said Scheuermann. "Especially those who … don’t practice any religion, they do not understand the whole circle of life and how things work, so for me the hard-working group of volunteers in here – they are just gems."

"It’s great. It’s amazing," said Maritina, a woman who had the venison taco dinner.

"We just really appreciate what they are doing; helping our clients, making sure that they have a treat," said McCarty.