From the Executive Director Mary Brooks
When our newsletter went out last September, I had NO IDEA I would be writing this as your new Executive Director! 

But my passion for our mission and team finally convinced me that now was the time to accept this expanded role as WPE's Executive Director . The difference we all make together is only possible due to the amazing way that everyone - staff, volunteers, donors, and recipients, continually support and champion WPE and our mission. 

Because of your dedication to our values of Selfless Service , Appreciation , Collaboration and Respect, I have the great pleasure and good fortune to be here at this amazing time. What time is it?

It’s Growing Time!
Each day brings to us new energy in the form of more volunteers, new staff, partnerships, and opportunities to serve our friends in need. Three words define ways these fresh breezes are coming to us:

Starbucks joined our mission to eliminate hunger by bringing to us fresh salads, sandwiches, and protein boxes that, within 24 hours, are delivered to people who don't have enough healthy food to eat.  Project Glimmer has provided 1,400 beautiful new beauty kits adding some added sparkle and bling to the lives of girls and women we serve through our Mobile Boutique events. A local shelter is working with us to set up a permanent free clothing shop at their facility to provide for their members. The well-known nonprofit Lava Mae is helping us get our Mobile Shower unit ready for use.

We are so fortunate to have added two experienced and skilled staff members to our team : Danie Belfield , WPE's Director of Volunteer Services, and Erica Brooks , our Director of Strategic Partnerships. Both Danie and Erica bring a wealth of experience and passion to our mission.

The devastating fires in Butte County moved us deeply, and our Board of Directors chose to temporarily expand our services to the survivors of the Camp Fire. It has been a profound learning experience for all who have taken food to these traumatized people. We are learning a lot about serving after a natural disaster and have made many contacts that expand our circle of giving.

There are many more “buds” on our spring blooms of growth. Stay tuned as we continue to refine our delivery processes, organize our teams with new agility to be able to respond to changing needs, and, with your help, bring new sources of funding so we may serve more people, in more ways, with more impact.

With warmest regards,
Team Spotlight: Introducing Danie Belfield
We are delighted to announce that Danie Belfield joined White Pony Express as our Director of Volunteer Services last month.
 
Danie has nearly 10 years of experience with various nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area, most recently with Meals on Wheels San Francisco as the Director of Volunteer Programs. 

In this new role, she joins our volunteer coordinator, Mandy Nakaya, working closely with volunteers and staff across the organization to sustain and grow the volunteer program as we strive to serve more people through our programs. >> READ MORE

Food Rescue Update:
Help Wanted!
Growth in Food Rescue

Food Rescue has experienced rapid growth in the past year, and we anticipate more this year. 

In the last year we’ve added five new school pantry programs , several low-income senior housing residences, and other community partners. We launched a partnership with Starbuck's and added donor pickups at a new Safeway , Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods locations.

In the fall, we began responding to the urgent need from the Northern California ‘Campfire’ by driving twice weekly to deliver food to survivors in Butte County. At the same time, we are being called upon to provide even more nourishment for more individuals in need in our county. We anticipate adding three or four new school pantries by the start of the next school year, one or two as early as this spring!

We could not meet these very real needs all around us without having the consistent and reliable support of our dedicated volunteers. >> READ MORE

Pony Tales Stories From the Field
SUSTAINABLE GIVING
Many children and families in Contra Costa County rely on WPE for healthy food and fresh clothing. To meet these needs, WPE requires year-round financial support from people like you.

Join WPE's special community of monthly donors and uplift lives all year long.
Thank you for your
generous support!
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White Pony Express is an independent nonprofit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation
EIN 46-5220565