Fire Island National Seashore donated 3,211 pounds of venison to Feeding Westchester, located in Westchester County, N.Y. With a mission to nourish their neighbors in the fight against hunger, the organization sources and distributes good, nutritious food and other resources within a network of more than 300 partners and programs.

“This venison is welcome for our neighbors in need,” said Karen C. Erren, president and CEO of Feeding Westchester. “Right now, specifically, so many in our community are struggling. We are grateful to the National Park Service for their venison donation.”

“This year’s donation shows our continued commitment to protect and restore natural habitats and historic landscapes at Fire Island National Seashore, as outlined in the park’s integrated deer management strategy,” said superintendent Alexcy Romero. “It also shows the Seashore’s continued support for our community at large.”

The donation follows the safe and successful removal of 112 deer from Fire Island National Seashore properties; 53 deer were removed from National Park Service lands at the William Floyd Estate and 59 deer from Fire Island itself. The deer management operation has been completed for the 2023 season.