A Concord-based nonprofit launched a county-wide food drive effort this week to assist residents who will see their food benefits dry up next month.  

On Saturday, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will cease to give out benefits to people experiencing food insecurity. The funding for the program will be halted due to the federal government shutdown, which is entering its second month.  

Across the country, 42 million adults and children depend on SNAP, and its suspension has sparked lawsuits and grassroots actions.  

In Contra Costa County, about 110,000 people receive the benefit through the state’s CalFresh program, according to the California Department of Social Services.  

White Pony Express, a nonprofit headquartered in Concord, launched a large-scale food drive Wednesday to assist people who would normally receive CalFresh food stamps.  

The organization’s main office in Concord, located at 2470 Bates Ave., Suite D, will be the drop-off point for shelf-stable items. White Pony Express hopes to focus on protein-rich foods such as nut butters; canned tuna, chicken or salmon; beans and lentils, shelf-stable milk, and canned soups and chili. 

White Pony Express supplies food to 110 local nonprofits and said that 54 new ones are waiting to join the network. The organization said that Contra Costa County is already seeing longer lines at food distribution sites.  

“Our community has always risen to meet moments of crisis with compassion,” said Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express, in a statement released by her organization. “By donating now — especially protein rich foods — you’ll help ensure access to nutritious groceries for thousands of households where benefits are withheld.”  

To learn more about White Pony Express and the food drive, go to whiteponyexpress.org.  

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.