One of the biggest surprises – and announcements – from Mayor Tom Henry’s State of the City address had little to do with city government at all.HUNTERTOWN – Holding a blue bow nearly as long as she is tall, Emma Seiler, 5, drew back her bow and released her arrow.
After three attempts, Emma never hit the tiny neon bull’s-eye she aimed for, but all three arrows struck and stuck in the target.
Emma was among the archers who competed during the 2009 Jamboree Fundraising Bowshoot and Barbecue benefiting Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry.
The non-profit group works with butcher shops to process deer and livestock donated by hunters and farmers.
The processed meat is given to Community Harvest Food Bank for distribution through local food pantries, homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
Deb Treesh, the group’s coordinator, said Sunday’s was the fundraiser’s fourth year, and she expected about 200 participants.
“It’s our biggest shoot so far,” Treesh said.
Treesh expected to raise about $10,000 from the event.
This year, Treesh said the group needs about $75,000 to process about 75,000 pounds of meat that will provide about 300,000 meals.
Although those meals are a small fraction of the total meals provided by the food bank, Treesh said the food bank appreciates donations of meat.
“Oh, they love it,” Treesh said. “It’s a hard commodity for them to get.”
The chance to help food banks is one of the reasons the Seiler family has attended the fundraiser for years, said Emma’s dad, Adam Seiler, 33.
“It’s a good cause for feeding the hungry,” Adam Seiler said.
