From the Executive Director Gary Conner
Wow!

Congratulate yourselves for this incredible start to the year.

Each of you, volunteers, donors, community partners, staff, and supporters of every stripe, have contributed to WPE’s wonderful success. Below is a list of happenings during the early months of 2018 that helped us serve those in need—in increasing numbers.
 
 
  • Later in January our new walk-in cooler and freezer were installed, tripling our Food Rescue program’s capacity to keep food fresh and safe. 
 
  • We also received our new Mobile Shower unit, which we hope to make available to those without shelter later this year. 
 
 
  • In March Free General Store held its 49th Mobile Boutique for teens in Richmond, and we finished our new 600 sq. ft. office area for the burgeoning staff, plus we expanded our Food Rescue Distribution Center by 400 sq. ft.
 
  • Also in March, the Food Rescue program hit the milestone of distributing 6,000,000 pounds of fresh food. There was a well-attended celebration in April to recognize the impact of this, our largest, program. To date we’re over 6.5 million pounds of food rescued and delivered. Food Rescue reported that food donations and deliveries were now up 20% year-over-year: now averaging 6,000 pounds a day.
 
  • Later in April, FGS held its 50th Mobile Boutique and mobile grocery, providing 10,000 items of new or like new clothing, toys, and books, for the children and families of Cambridge Elementary School and Cambridge Child Development Center. Over 200 volunteers made this event one of our best yet.
 
  • And last month, all your hard work, loving care, and support paid dividends in recognition: GuideStar (the nonprofit clearing house used by funders) awarded WPE its highest stamp of approval, the Platinum Seal of Transparency. 


What a great start to the year!
Our Double Angel Matching Campaign raised   $266,000!  

In fact, we're thrilled to announce that another angel donor,
the Gemmer Family Foundation , stepped up to match 
the amount over our goal of $250,000.

That means with the donations from our two original angels,
Luis Gerardo del Valle Torres and the Heart’s Path Foundation,
the total raised in this campaign from YOU + THREE Angels = $532,000

Thank you all for participating at this important point
in the year. This spring campaign has provided about
one-third of our needed funding for 2018.
 
Free General Store Spotlight
Where do clothes go that aren't distributed locally?
Did you know that not everything that is donated to our Free General Store makes it to people in Contra Costa County?

It's true. Some items don't meet our "new or like new" quality standards and are recycled. So what happens to the Free General Store's Recycled Clothing? Here's a hint: it does NOT go into the landfill. 
Cold Weather Clothing Project
Another year of helping provide for those without shelter
Again this year, the Cold Weather Clothing Project, run by the Free General Store team of volunteers and staff, provided clothing such as coats, socks, scarves, gloves, hand and foot warmers, blankets, tarps, under layers such as leggings and long johns, warm beanies and ski hats and more to those without shelter.

We also provided and distributed emergency backpacks filled with lifesaving clothing, blankets, and other cold weather survival items to help people get through the winter months.

Take a few minutes to view the video above to see more of how this important community program uplifts lives each year. 
New Website
www.whiteponyexpress.org gets a makeover
Have you visited our new website yet? It's the same address www.whiteponyexpress.org , but there's a whole new look. Our new website has many features so many of our volunteers have wanted, a blog with the latest updates and news, more photos and video, an easy way to donate, sign up for this email newsletter, connect, and so much more.

Every website is a work in progress, so if you have suggestions or idea about what you'd like to see on our website, or ideas for stories on our blog please let us know!
Give monthly and be the difference for young people
Many children and families in the 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. Feel rewarded knowing that every dollar you invest equates to $6 dollars worth of goods or services for those who need it most.

Click the following link, fill out your details and be sure to select the recurring donation option to become a monthly donor: http://bit.ly/2oCRpqb
Thank you for your generous support!
Support WPE While Shopping
You shop. Amazon gives.
Remember when you are doing your online shopping at  Amazon Smile , a portion of your purchase will be donated to White Pony Express. Feel twice as good by shopping for a cause. Thank you to those who named White Pony Express as their nonprofit of choice. 

Curious about the program? Read more here:  goo.gl/AjMcVb