Menominee Tribe launches wild game food program, fills SNAP gap
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin launched the Omaeqnomenewak Food Share Emergency Wild Game Response after the federal shutdown disrupted monthly Food Share benefits, mobilizing hunters and volunteers to supply ground venison and other food to tribal households. The program prioritizes Food Share recipients, elders 55 and older, and households with disabilities, and provides clear donation, processing, and pickup instructions for Menominee County residents.
Facing interruptions to federal Food Share benefits, tribal leaders and community members organized a locally driven food response that began in early December. The Omaeqnomenewak Food Share Emergency Wild Game Response asks Menominee hunters to donate venison to the Menominee Tribal Department of Agriculture for processing into one pound ground venison packages. Packages are being distributed first to Food Share recipients, then to Tribal Elders 55 and older and to households with disabilities or without hunters. Distribution is on a first come, first served basis and is open to Tribal Members on and off the reservation.
Donations should be clean and quartered before delivery to the Department of Agriculture at W2776 Chief Little Wave Road in Keshena. The office accepts donations Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and accepted additional Saturday hours in November from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All donated meat will be stored until a negative Chronic Wasting Disease test result is confirmed. Deer must be registered within 24 hours by calling 715 799 5116 or online through the Tribe website, and deer heads must be submitted to the Menominee Tribal Conservation Department for CWD testing. Hunters may also donate beef or pork fat to blend with venison.
Volunteer opportunities include deboning, cleaning, and processing meat. To volunteer contact the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainability at 715 994 1374 or the Menominee Tribal Chairman’s Office at 715 799 5114. Tribal members seeking assistance may sign up through the Department of Agriculture. Initial monthly allocations are five one pound packages for one person households, ten one pound packages for households of three or fewer, and fifteen one pound packages for households of four or more. Unprocessed deer can be requested with the recipient responsible for processing and agreeing to release the Tribe from liability.
The effort supplements broader state and federal responses. On November 3, 2025 the federal government announced a partial payment equal to 50 percent of November Food Share benefits though that payment was expected to be delayed. New Food Share applications continue to be processed and WIC, BadgerCare, and Medicaid remain funded. Additional local food sources include MITW Food Distribution at N737 Head Start Road Keshena 715 799 5131, St. Michael’s Church Pantry at N816 Highway 47 55 Keshena, St. Anthony’s Church Pantry in Neopit, SAFPARC in Shawano, and Ruby’s Pantry in Gillett. The Community Resource Center Diversionary Care Program can provide short term help at 715 799 5137 with eligibility limited to one time in a twelve month period and up to five instances total.
The program underscores the Tribe’s reliance on traditional food systems to shore up food security during policy disruptions, while CWD testing timelines and volunteer capacity will shape how quickly donated meat reaches families in need.
