Ann Pollert, executive director of North Dakota Community Action Association from Fargo, was the guest speaker at the May 25 Rotary meeting.
Pollert explained the Sportsmen against Hunger project administered through Community Action where sportsmen donate deer to local food pantries. This program was put together by hunters as a way to assist the Community Action food pantries throughout North Dakota. Many organizations have food drives and collect a lot of pasta, cereal, and canned goods; but meat is a very expensive commodity and people need to have protein in their diets as well.
Pollert said a number of processors and lockers donate their time to process the deer meat. The hunters' responsibility is to field dress the deer and then take them to the processor. From there the venison is packaged in 1 pound packages and labeled for the recipients. They also receive recipes on how to prepare the venison. In 2009, 353 deer were donated to this project, which continues to grow. A number of people, including the Health Department, had some concerns about lead content. The package labeling indicates if the deer was shot with bow and arrow or the type of ammunition used and includes a warning about any potential health risks.
Pollert said there are a number of organizations statewide who also donate funds to help pay for the processing which, in the long run, make it affordable and available to the food pantries.
Pollert also gave an overview on Community Action. The Jamestown Community Action office services Region 6, which includes Wells, Foster, Griggs, Barnes, Logan, McIntosh, Dickey, LaMoure, and Stutsman counties. Community Action originated under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to help fight the war on poverty during Lyndon Johnson's presidency. Since that time this program has continued to grow as the need has continued to grow.
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The May 26 meeting was presided over by President Tom Boerger. Gary Riffe gave the invocation, Mark Sherfy and Bev Kennison led the group in music and Harold Bensch collected "Happy Dollars" for Rotary projects. Tom Shockman was a guest of Gary Riffe and a member of the downtown Rotary Club in Fargo. Boerger reminded members of the Mill Hill cleanup. He also thanked those who helped with cleaning up May 27 at Camp Rokiwan. This was a joint project between the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. The meal was served by the Kiwanis Club.
Tom Herzog from the North Dakota Highway Patrol will speak at today's Rotary meeting. He will be discussing working with and training drug-sniffing dogs. Quincy Bakken will give the invocation, Casey Stoudt will lead the music and Tim Ottmar will be sergeant at arms.
