Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club Donates Van to White Pony Express to Expand Food Rescue Capacity Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club Donates Van to White Pony Express to Expand Food Rescue Capacity

Updated: Aug 3

Today, White Pony Express (WPE) announces the expansion of its food rescue fleet, effectively growing its rescue capacity and services throughout Contra Costa County.

Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary led the project to purchase a new refrigerated delivery van, raising over $90,000, which funded the vehicle and installation of a refrigeration unit. While Lamorinda Sunrise spearheaded the campaign, substantial contributions were received from many generous individuals and organizations. In addition, fifteen other local Rotary Clubs gifted funds, including the Rotary Clubs of Alamo, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise, Concord, Concord-Diablo, Hercules, Lafayette, Lamorinda Sunrise, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, and Walnut Creek Sunrise. Grants were also received from Rotary District 5160, Mechanics Bank, and the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church.

“This is incredible news – I am awed,” Executive Director Eve Birge stated. “With this transit, we can expand our reach and deliver more healthy food to those that need it most.”

President of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, Dan Herbert, also shared, “We are delighted to have partnered with White Pony Express, thereby enabling them to deliver fresh food to thousands of individuals facing food insecurity.”

Heartbreakingly, 1 in 4 Americans are skipping meals or relying on food donations to survive. In addition, statistics show that 40% of our food supply is thrown away. If rescued and delivered to those in need, this perfectly good food could wipe out hunger three times over. In Contra Costa County, 10% of the population, or more than 113,000 residents, are food insecure.

Food waste and food insecurity are the twin scourges tackled by White Pony Express’ (WPE) unique food rescue approach. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, WPE is dedicated to alleviating the food insecurity experienced by many in our midst through a volunteer-powered service model.

The name White Pony Express is a mashup of two important ideas: the white horse, which is a symbol of unity in many faith streams, and the Pony Express, which revolutionized fast, reliable delivery. Their name is a perfect description of the benevolence and urgency of the mission.

WPE refrigerated vans pick up healthy, perishable food from local grocery stores and restaurants and bring it to their distribution center, where it is quality-controlled and sorted according to the needs of their 90 recipient partners by dedicated volunteer teams.

his perfectly good food would otherwise end up in the landfill to make space for new inventory or because it is nearing its “best by” date. Food waste claims the most space in America’s landfills where it emits environmentally harmful greenhouse gasses. Thanks to WPE, this food is recovered and delivered to those that need it most.

All of this takes place within 24 hours, seven days a week, and it is delivered free of charge with warm smiles and the understanding that we are one human family.

(L to R) Anna Bostick, Operations Director, WPE, Eve Birge, Executive Director, WPE.

For more information on the White Pony Express mission, to donate, or to volunteer, visit https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Susie Hays, CMO, Q2Mark