If you’re a hunter and wondering what to do with the excess meat in your freezer what better way to dispose of the extra food than by helping hunters for the hungry reach their goal of ten thousand pounds.
Hunters for the Hungry held a food drive Sunday at Cajun Field.
The goal is to restock the freezer’s at the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission and other local shelters.
For the last month and a half the mission has had a shortage of food.
Opelousas Lighthouse Mission Executive Director, Johnny Carrier says it was a tough year.
“When the economy tanks we have more people that come to us for food as well so less people are donating and more people need during that time. So we feel the effects of that throughout the year when there’s a down turn in the economy.”” Said Carrier.
The drive began at 10 a.m. and was held at six locations throughout Acadiana.
Last year the mission collected 8 thousands pounds of food.
Due to the shortage they set a goal of 10 thousand pounds hoping the extra amount will keep them from running into the same problem.
Charles Raystringer, a resident and cook at the mission says he is comforted knowing that he will not be hungry because of the communitites kindness.
“I’m happy that people were able to see the mission and understand a lot of us are hungry that live there and a lot of us are glad and thankful for what people have done for us, you know donating enough food.”” Said Raystringer.
Raystringer gets up everyday at 4:30 A.M. to prepare food for the mission.
About 30 thousand families are fed, each year with the meat collected at this event.
He says there is no great feeling than to open the freezer and see it full of food.
“When I go in there I touch the food and I give a little prayer for the ones that are in the homeless shelter. I appreciate what god has done for us.”” Said Raystringer.
If you would like to donate extra meat you can go to cleanoutyourfreezor.com.