Wednesday when Kiss Country's "Gary and Julie" first learned from KTBS TV 3 of the tossing out and destruction of 1,600 pounds of venison donated by area hunters to the "Hunters For The Hungry" program which in turn was donated to the Shreveport Bossier Rescue Mission we were outraged, to say the least.

Shreveport and Bossier City's indigent and homeless were denied a valuable source of protein and the sheer waste was, in the minds of most, inexplicable.  Public outcry has been nothing short of staggering.  Kiss Country's listeners wanted answers and wanted them now!

We found an ally in Louisiana State Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Bossier City) who, just today, announced the upcoming news conference for Monday, February 25, 2013 at 4 p.m., at the Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission to address the actions of the Department of Health and Hospitals in the destruction of the venison.  Through Representative Thompson's efforts, he's found our answers and in an incredibly short period of time.

Attending the press conference will be Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Mike Strain; Jimmy Anthony, Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; representatives of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; Rev. Henry Martin with the Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission; as well as representatives of Hunters for the Hungry, and area legislators who have been instrumental in orchestrating discussions among the various state agencies which collectively oversee food safety and the program which promotes the donation of fresh locally harvested deer for homeless shelters and charities.  Gary McCoy was also asked to attend this press conference by Representative Thompson.

“I am pleased to be able to report at this time that steps have been taken to ensure that no similar actions of destruction of similarly donated food will occur again in Louisiana, and that appropriate revision of existing policies and law which ensure food safety are under review and will occur” commented Jeff Thompson of Bossier City.

A lengthy conference call early Friday morning with all involved agencies was conducted and significant progress has been made in recognizing the shortcomings in execution of the existing procedures and of the need for modification of existing law and policies.

Announcements regarding steps to be taken and plans to assist the Rescue Mission replace the lost inventory will be made during the press conference.  Agency representatives will be available for questions and comments on the events and plans for improvement.

The press conference will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 4:00 p.m., at the Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission located at 901 McNeil Street, Shreveport, Louisiana.

For more information contact Representative Jeff Thompson at (318) 741-2850.

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