The Deer to Care co-founders, Stuart O’Neill, Tim Cook, and Wesley Baratcart, have worked together to make a difference. They started off as a group of friends looking to donate excess deer to charities in Southland.
Over the past year, a record 615 deer have been processed, benefiting charities as far as North Otago. Mighty Meats Butchery owner Cory Orlowski has been instrumental in processing the donated venison into mince meat, working tirelessly to ensure quality and safety.
Mr. Orlowski shared his commitment to the cause, emphasizing the importance of helping those in need, especially as living costs rise.
In January, up to 700kg of meat had already been processed, with Mataura Butcher joining the team to help with meat processing.
Deer to Care has put in significant effort to connect with Southland charities in need, relying on relationships and community feedback to identify those who require assistance.
While the organization has been operating for eight years, they have recently decided to expand their operations by becoming an incorporated society. The meat supply is sourced from a team of about 12 Southland hunters.
Gore firefighter Michael O’Neill has volunteered as the supply liaison between Deer to Care and community organizations, impressed by the impact of the meat donations on families in need.
The community work provided by social agencies distributing the meat as cooked meals has been a revelation for many, highlighting the impact of Deer to Care’s efforts.
Toni McDonald
