Glasgow-based Hi-Line Sportsmen last week donated $1,000 to the Valley Community Emergency Food Bank to assist residents facing food shortages this season.
The donation aligns with Hi-Line Sportsmen's commitment to "keeping conservation local" and helping neighbors, especially as programs such as SNAP and other food-assistance programs have faced cuts and shortfalls during the recent federal government shutdown.
The conservation group has routinely donated funds to local meat processors to assist with butchering surplus deer, elk, and antelope, the meat of which was then donated to the food bank. But this year, with widespread declines in big-game populations, the group decided to redirect the donation directly to the food bank.
"We recognized that many of our neighbors are struggling with rising grocery prices and at the same time we didn't want to incentivize harvest of animals during a period when populations are down," says Justin Schaaf, president of Hi-Line Sportsmen. "A direct donation to the food bank seemed like the best use of the funds that are generated by this community."
The main source of HLS's funds is its semi-annual banquet in which items are raffled and auctioned to support local conservation initiatives. Next year's Hi-Line Sportsmen banquet is slated for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Glasgow's St. Raphael's Church.
Hi-Line Sportsmen meet monthly to discuss local conservation issues and priorities. Meetings are open to everyone. Contact Schaaf at 406-230-2822 or visit the group's Facebook page, by searing "Hi-Line Sportsmen, to participate or contribute ideas about local conservation needs.
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