White Pony Express Creates Links Between Surplus and Need

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Nov. 26, 2014 - PRLog -- White Pony Express (WPE), the only food rescue and relay program solely dedicated to serving Contra Costa County, celebrated its first year anniversary this fall, and its achievements are far reaching.

Carol Weyland Conner, PhD, spiritual director of Sufism Reoriented, founded WPE in September 2013, when she became aware that, in a county of tremendous abundance, many friends and neighbors were still going hungry. Her idea was to create a food rescue program where nutritious surplus food could be picked up and delivered directly from food retailers to local service organizations serving those in need, free of charge. This direct distribution model allows for quick collection and delivery of large amounts of food, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, and healthy choices for children. The innovative service quickly gained traction and popularity.

Achievements in the first year of operation:

•More than 600,000 lb. of food at a discounted value of more than $1,000,000 has been delivered—enough to provide 400,000 meals to those in need.

•The amount of nutritious food delivered has grown to 3,000 lb. per day.

•The WPE volunteer base has grown from 100 to more than 250 people.

•WPE has partnered with more than 100 donors including Whole Foods, Nob Hill Foods, Costco, Sprouts Farmers' Market, The Cheesecake Factory, Noah's Bagels, Morruci's Deli, Rocco's Pizza, and Walmart, among others.

•WPE has served more than 40 recipient partners, including the county's largest providers such as Loaves and Fishes, Monument Crisis Center, Shelter, Inc., Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brookside Shelter, Love-A-Child Homeless Recovery Shelter, Don Brown Shelter, Hope House, Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, and Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, as well as other homeless shelters, recovery centers, homes for the disabled, meal providers, pantries, day-labor centers, and cooking classes for low-income students.

•White Pony Express is fully incorporated as an independent nonprofit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation.

As the food rescue program grew, WPE learned more about the needs of people living in poverty. In its first year of operation, WPE expanded its outreach to include two new programs: the White Pony Express Free General Store, which distributes free gently used clothing, toys, and books; and the White Pony Inn, which connects homeless individuals and families with the resources they need to move from the margins to the mainstream of society.

Since March 2014, the Free General Store has held fourteen events, reaching those most in need at “mobile boutiques” held at churches and community centers in impoverished neighborhoods, distributing 20,000 items of clothing and 10,000 toys and books, all free of charge.

Volunteers and donations are always welcome. For more information, please visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.

Contact: Mary Brooks; 925.588.6988; mary@whiteponyexpress.org