NEW YORK, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) -- The Sportsman Channel's unique initiative to help feed the nation's needy during the economic crisis and beyond -- is joining forces with The Salvation Army in Orange County and the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles to feed members of the community this weekend. The Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) events will be held at The Salvation Army's Hospitality House on Friday, February 20, from 5:00pm to 6:30pm and at the Union Rescue Mission on Saturday, February 21, from 11am to 3pm. Both events are expected to feed more than 1,000 individuals in need.
The Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) initiative is a unique outreach program that utilizes a new and previously unused food source -- game donated by hunters -- to feed those struggling with hunger, made possible by responsible outdoorsmen to whom hunting is synonymous with harvesting. The Southern California events will utilize venison, a highly nutritious food source, which will be donated by local hunters from the region, in cooperation with The Sportsman Channel and the Safari Club International Foundation.
In the U.S., California has the highest homeless population with over 170,000 individuals. Los Angeles accounts for 53% or 91,000 of California's homeless, ranking the city number one in the country. Orange County accounts for 21% or 35,000, ranking it third in the country. Of the homeless populations in Los Angeles and Orange County, over 36% are homeless families. Meanwhile, the overpopulation of deer is responsible for approximately 1.5 million in deer-related vehicle accidents, causing about 150 deaths and $1.1 billion in property damages annually.
"This event is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the concept of 'sharing' is applied to every aspect of life. We are grateful to the Sportsman Channel for including Union Rescue Mission in this creative approach to feeding people who are hungry," said Jacqui Groseth, Associate Development Director Union Rescue Mission.
"Hunting is synonymous with harvesting," said Mark Kang, VP of Affiliate Relations for The Sportsman Channel. "Hunt.Fish.Feed. connects sportsmen and homeless shelters to utilize a new food source for the hungry. During these economic hard times this initiative has become even more significant, especially in a state like California who struggles with the highest homeless populations in the U.S."
"I've never seen an event like this. It's the most unique philanthropic event I've ever seen," remarked Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, who attended last month's Las Vegas Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) event.
The Orange County and Los Angeles events are part of The Sportsman Channel's Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) tour taking place in six other cities across the nation, targeting the highest homeless populations, including New York City, Detroit, Las Vegas, Denver, Houston and Washington, D.C.
WHAT: Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) Orange County
WHERE: The Salvation Army's Hospitality House
818 E. Third Street
Santa Ana, CA
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2009
Serving Dinner 5 to 6:30pm
WHAT: Hunt.Fish.Feed.(SM) Los Angeles
WHERE: Union Rescue Mission
545 S. San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, CA
WHEN: Saturday, February 21, 2009
Serving Lunch 11am to 3pm
Contact: Greg Hughes, 404-394-3700; ghughes5425@gmail.com
Kim Hawkins, 262-442-0439; Khawkins@thesportsmanchannel.com
Amy Sorrells, 404-550-4885; amyssorrells@comcast.net
