After celebrating a milestone this month, 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, to 500 Concord families in need.
In the drive-through giveaway at Mt. Diablo High School, 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.
During the May 1 distribution event, state officials helped White Pony Express mark the occasion of 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.
