The Outdoor Channel and Charter Communications partnered to bring a game meat meal to the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Augusta Thursday to highlight the opportunities for hunters to share their bounty.

The “Hunt.Fish.Feed” program was created by the Outdoor Channel about a decade ago and has feed thousands of people across the country, said Tim Boell, vice president of distribution for the Outdoor Channel.

“We just want to shine a light on what is a need in the U.S.,” he said.

The channel will travel to three states this fall to spread the word about their program — Nebraska, Maine and Ohio.

“This is a very unique outreach program to tap underutilized food sources, such as game meat and fish to feed those who are struggling with hunger,” said Kate Gore, director of state government affairs at Charter Communications.

Gore presented a $2,500 check to Bread of Life to help with the ongoing needs of the Augusta food pantry.

Charter Communications is the parent company of Spectrum, a broadband and cable company that serves more than 32 million customers in 41 states. Spectrum News is a subsidiary of Charter Communications.

Bread of Life Executive Director Victoria Abbott said as an organization that relies on donations, the gift will help pay for the food they are able to purchase at a discount from the Good Shepherd Food Bank.

Abbott said the pantry serves breakfast and lunch to about 110 people a day, up from about 80 just two years ago. They also provide help for those who need things such as jackets, shoes or socks.

In addition to several state lawmakers and Augusta Mayor Mark O’Brien, Craig Lapine of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry attended the event to remind folks that his department runs a game food program called “Hunters for the Hungry.”

Last year, the program processed about 2,300 pounds of food from hunters and helped get the food to local pantries. The state has about 25 meat processors around the state, but there’s room for more.

And he said hunters should be aware that the program has funds for processing.

“If having the funds to process that animal is what’s keeping you from donating it, please reach out to Hunters for the Hungry and we can take it to that next step,” Lapine said.