Northwest Missouri Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry makes a big impact on the local effort to feed the hungry.

But the organization is in danger of folding due to the health of its founder and driving force, area coordinator Steve Goben.

“I’ve been doing this for six years, but due to health problems, I’m going to have to give it up,” said the 57-year-old Mr. Goben, who has recently suffered a major back injury and minor heart attack.

“I’m trying to get the word out for people to step up and take over. If that doesn’t happen, then this effort is going to cease to exist.”

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry accepts donations of deer during each hunting season. It also pays for the animals to be butchered and then distributes the meat to local food banks and charities.

If the organization folds, the effects will be felt by the needy and hungry throughout Northwest Missouri.

The local chapter — the only Missouri offshoot of a national organization — has provided meat for more than 30,000 meals through Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph over the last six years. Second Harvest has received nearly 8,000 pounds of venison over that stretch.

“Protein is one of the most important parts of a meal, and deer meat is nutritious and lean,” said Rachel Graves, development director at Second Harvest. “It’s been very helpful to us over the last several years.”

Second Harvest isn’t the only beneficiary of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Other local food banks have received help, including the Family Worship Center on John Glenn Road.

The average deer provides about 50 pounds of meat, Mr. Goben said. Last year, the organization collected 120 deer. To show how the organization has grown, it collected just 15 deer in 2003.

Mr. Goben is organizing a meeting for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Family Worship Center for people interested in taking over the work.

That includes organizing the effort of collecting the deer and transporting them to and from the processors as well as public relations and fundraising (it costs at least $50 to butcher each animal).

“God says we have to help the needy. It’s what the Lord called me to do, and that’s what I’ve done,” Mr. Goben said. “I wish to God I could keep doing it, but I can’t. Now I just hope we can find somebody else to step up.”

Anyone interested in helping is asked to call Mr. Goben at 671-9243 or 261-2874. The national organization also maintains a Web site at www.FHFH.org.

Scott Pummell can be reached at scottp@npgco.com