Walker County sportsmen and women have a new option this year for dealing with an excess of game: give it to charity.

The Northwest Georgia chapter of the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation is helping to jumpstart a local division of a Sportsman’s Pantry, a surplus game donation project in conjunction with the Safari Club International of Georgia and Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry.

Hunters this upcoming season who have more game than their larders will hold are invited to donate their unwanted venison to the Sportsman’s Pantry, which provides processing of the game and distribution to local food banks in need.

Currently, the only local processor participating is LaFayette Wild Game Processing, located at 3492 Trion Highway in LaFayette. Hunters who wish to participate are asked to drop their surplus game at that location.

To support in other ways, the GHFF will be holding a fundraiser at the LaFayette McDonald’s on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 5-7 p.m. A free fishing simulator will be available for entertainment of children and adults alike and twenty percent of all proceeds from McDonald’s sales during those hours will go toward the Sportsman’s Pantry.

For more information on the Sportsman’s Pantry, contact Walker County GHFF president Bill Evitt at 423-504-6012. Those interested in joining the GHFF are invited to attend the regular monthly meeting, which takes place the first Monday evening of each month at CJ’s Southern Traditions restaurant in LaFayette.