CONCORD, CA (May 28, 2025) — White Pony Express, the food recovery group that serves Contra Costa County, had one of its refrigerated vans recently stolen from its parking lot. The van, valued at $50,000, is one of thirteen refrigerated vehicles that White Pony Express uses daily to collect fresh produce and other perishable foods from 80 food donors. The organization delivers this food to approximately 105 nonprofit organizations throughout the county that feed the hungry.

The theft occurred around 4 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025. After the incident, Bay Area TV stations were notified and began broadcasting news segments about the stolen van and requesting the community’s help to recover it.

Nearly two days later, Concord police found the van abandoned in Concord with its license plates removed and significant damage sustained. No one was in the vehicle when it was discovered.

This is not the first time White Pony Express has experienced vehicle theft. In 2017, one of its large box trucks was stolen and later recovered after someone saw the story on TV and provided a tip.

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According to Eve Birge, White Pony Express’ CEO, “The theft couldn’t have come at a worse time. WPE is seriously impacted by federal funding cuts and freezes—we are trying to figure out how to make up for this shortfall. On top of this, now we’re facing vehicle repairs and insurance increases.”

Explains Birge, “Our community’s safety net is in jeopardy and hunger is on the rise. To help make up for federal funding cuts, WPE launched its ‘Nourish to Flourish’ campaign, with the goal of raising $350,000 by the end of May.”

To donate to WPE’s campaign, visit donorbox.org/whiteponyexpress.org.

To learn more about the work of WPE, visit https://whiteponyexpress.org/.