After celebrating a milestone, volunteers and leaders of the nonprofit White Pony Express handed out thousands of pounds of fresh groceries retrieved from local stores and eateries where it would have been wasted.
In the drive-through giveaway at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, 500 families also received bundles of clothing selected to meet their specific needs.
The organization’s website says it receives about 15,000 pounds of food each day that cannot be used for a variety of reasons by local grocers, retailers, farmers markets, restaurants, catering companies, test kitchens, and wholesalers.
The food is all still fresh and healthy to eat, and White Pony Express typically sorts and delivers it within a day to organizations that directly serve people in need.
On Saturday, State officials had helped White Pony Express commemorate having rescued and delivered 15 million pounds of surplus food between its founding in 2013 and this month. The organization also distributes clothing, books, toys and other goods through its cold weather clothing program and mobile boutiques.
19 comments
Sounds admirable, why let food go to waste when it can feed the hungry?
I was wondering what was going on there was literally a line of cars blocking the road in each direction at least half a mile down the road getting into Mt. Diablo high school.
On a sidenote New Hope Church on Oliveira was also giving out free groceries on Saturday. I’m not really into organized religion but I thought what a great thing to do with your donations instead of just handing the money up the line like the Catholic diocese, jehovahs witnesses and the Mormons.
Fine project!
And is there not a regulation in our county that grocery stores may NOT discard veggies, etc., into their waste bins? Some organizations authorized to re-purpose products in these ways?
Only in America. Be financially irresponsible and liberals bail you out with free food and clothes. I choose to work, save and be self-sufficient.
Charge them the same way we get charged at the store. Why do they get it free because they were irresponsible with money?
its food that would otherwise go to waste – its a great program – people are struggling right now
Geez…how utterly absurd. There is no one more “pull yourself by the bootstraps” than me, but give it a frickin break…this is food that would be going to complete WASTE. Sure some of these people are probably irresponsible and/or scammers. So what. But a lot are genuinely down on their luck, did you miss the whole “pandemic” thing we’ve been in for a year+ in a state that did some of the most stupid, punitive lockdowns that destroyed jobs?
Oh, and BRILLIANT idea to make them pay for the food…it’s already been donated to the charities, so tell us how this works. You want to add a layer of red tape and overhead to DONATED FOOD by requiring charities to actually charge for the food they’re giving away? You should be celebrating the fact private charities are FAR more efficient in providing aid, but no, instead you want to make things more difficult just like government does.
So everyone who doesn’t have enough to eat “chose” their circumstances? Thousands of years of human history that have included poverty and it’s because no one realized they could just elect to not starve?
Do you hear yourself?
Yeah was wondering who was getting the food
I saw first hand the weekly hand outs in San Jose
It was Chinese and Mexican
Down the street were bums and homeless camp
Not getting anything
Sure I for one accept people’s choices not to participate
Just seemed since these people lined up 2 hours before hand
That it’s a first come situation
Not saying Chinese and Mexicans here don’t deserve handouts after waiting in line
Just figured maybe alternate the hand outs to maybe offer the people 2 blocks away a chance
Oh by the way all of these people taking the food had vehicles
Parked down the street
Noticed that these vehicles were mostly in great condition and were badged with European names
Just saying
Good idea and great to see but why are we regulated for buying or selling
But free distribution is not regulated and not equal equity
Homeless people can’t store groceries. If you give a homeless person perishable foods, most of the time it will go to waste. The majority of homeless people don’t have access to a portable stove to cook food, nor access to a cooler to prevent food from going bad. Most homeless don’t want groceries, because they can’t do anything with them.
Services that hand out groceries are different from homeless services that hand out precooked meals.
A person with a decent car, might be picking up food for someone else who doesn’t have a vehicle. It’s also possible they might be getting the food for themselves, because they are in a temporary financial setback. You can’t judge a person’s financial situation just by observing their vehicle.
Food banks are regulated and are inspected. In Concord it is illegal to publicly distribute food to groups of people without a permit. A few years ago, there was an organization that tried to organize a cooked meal program for the homeless, but Concord city government shut them down, wouldn’t give them a permit, and threatened them arrest if they continued.
Good explanation Natalie to explain the difference.
In my opinion groups that feed the homeless encourage them to stay in this area. They should also then be sending teams weekly to the areas where these people camp to pick up their trash. If you’re going to raise rats then please clean up after them. Like the church in todos santos on Colfax that gives meals to the homeless and they hang around there.
I’m assuming these Chinese and Mexican people were all out there waving Chinese and Mexican flags and told you what nationality they are….yea…that’s what I’m assuming due to your statement.
Must admit have never heard of this organization until now. For those retired or looking for something to do that makes a difference you might consider joining this effort.
https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer-x
Wondering how long it will take for someone to complain about the nonprofit’s name.
This event was sent out to all MDUSD parents on their Friday newsletter. I think it’s great what the White Pony Express does…the US probably wastes the most food in the world.
I had seen trucks with that name on them along Vincent Rd in PH. Near Frame up Bikes. Glad to hear about their efforts. Great story.
A small well funded religious organization is behind this wonderful program. So many lives have been changed due to their dedication and effort to bring about the new age. This is a small sample of all we can do if we put in the time, money, and effort.
https://www.thefader.com/2017/07/12/sufism…
I never understand people that complain or are suspicious of organizations that do good. Is it any skin off your back if an organization give food, clothing or shelter to someone who needs it? If you have shelter, clothing and food, why do you care? Although not very religious, I do believe that is what Jesus preached, so if you are religious and go to church, perhaps you need to heed the words of Jesus. So what if a few “undeserving” gets the food, I’m sure many that gets is do deserve. Just chill.
These food groups should work with our community’s. Family receiving food should donate their time in helping with garbage pick up, helping seniors etc.
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