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On March 23, 2009, our Sportsmen Against Hunger program was part of the Hunt.Fish.Feed event held in conjunction with the Sportsman Channel. The event was to provide a needed high-protein meal of game meat to hundreds of women and their children at Shade Tree Shelter, a well-established relief organization in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayor Oscar Goodman arrived 45 minutes early to lend a hand.
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Sportsmen Against Hunger in Las Vegas
By Gene Rurka, Chairman, SCIF Humanitarian Services
As you fly into Las Vegas, Nevada, you can’t miss the strip with its glitter, glitz and of course, lights. It can look like midday even when it is midnight. Large signs, elegant clothing, magnificent cars and lots of food, advertised everywhere. Continue out of town, away from the strip, just a few miles and you may find a section where the neon lights give way to sidewalks filled with cardboard shelters and shopping carts filled with life’s belongings that now replace the cars that once were in the suburban driveways.
Such was the experience of my drive to the Shade Tree Shelter in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Our Sportsmen Against Hunger program was part of the Hunt.Fish.Feed event held in conjunction with the Sportsman Channel. The event was to provide a needed high-protein meal of game meat to hundreds of women and their children at this well-established relief facility.
David Small, President of the Desert Chapter in Las Vegas, and his chapter members, as well as the Sportsman Channel cable network staff were in attendance to supply support for the SAH event. Everything worked like a precision time-piece. Dave and his chapter were able to provide over 150 pounds of game meat for the event’s chili dish.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman arrived 45 minutes earlier than scheduled – eager to participate in the event in any capacity we saw fit. With the pots full and cooking since 7:30 am, stirring the chili and great conversation ate up Mayor Goodman’s time until serving our guests began. Since Mayor Goodman was well acquainted with the New York City/New Jersey area that I frequent, it was time to compare notes and reminisce of days gone by.
Local TV and print media were eager to document our SAH/Hunt.Fish.Feed efforts to provide needy women and children of the Shade Tree Shelter of Northern Las Vegas a nutritious hot meal of game meat. It was well noted that the economic downturn had created a 30-40% increase in soup kitchen demand in 2008 over 2007. This demand has placed an enormous strain on food pantries and shelters across the nation.
High quality protein is essential – especially for children – and is in short supply. Rice or pasta with tomato sauce becomes the staple meal when financial issues surface. I hope you can imagine the smiles and words of thanks that were provided by our recipients. As I looked across the room and watched mothers holding their children near, I now begin to see smiles and a bit of laughter coming from the hardened faces that were just recently homeless, or even abused. For a few precious moments, things were different and the pains of being hungry were gone.
We – our hunting community – once again shared our harvest with those in need. Our generosity and compassion have always been there, but today more than ever we need to document our deeds and ongoing generosity. Our detractors need to see what we and our Humanitarian Services efforts have, and continue to do for our states and our communities.
Mayor Goodman was very complimentary of our efforts and has expressed his desire for continued involvement with Safari Club International and Safari Club International Foundation’s Humanitarian Services programs.
My sincere thanks to Dave Small and the SCI Desert Chapter members, and all those whose efforts made this event a success. J
oin us for a Sportsmen Against Hunger event in your area. For any assistance in starting a SAH program or involvement in any of our Humanitarian Services projects, please contact Gene Rurka, Humanitarian Services Chairman; Steve Rilenge, SAH Vice Chairman; or Eva Wilson at 520-620-1220.
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