Customers drive through the Tunnels of Joy at the Chick-fil-A Antioch at Lone Tree Way in the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center. Photo by Allen D. Payton
Donations, 10% of specific sales support effort through Dec. 31
By Allie Packer
Chick-fil-A Antioch at Lone Tree Way has partnered with Tunnels of Joy to bring the spirit of the season to life—one car at a time. The restaurant transformed its drive-thru into a “Tunnel of Joy,” complete with Christmas lights, festive décor and live carolers. This special effort is to support six-year-old Angelo Venegas, a local child bravely battling brain cancer. Guests will find QR codes on signage and in carry-out bags, providing them an easy way to donate for Angelo through Dec. 31. Additionally, the restaurant will donate 10% of the sale of all Peppermint Chip Milkshake sales to support Angelo during the same time frame.
“We’re honored to partner with Tunnels of Joy to help bring light, hope and joy to families battling health challenges during the holiday season,” said Evan Hawthorne, local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Antioch at Lone Tree Way. “We invite our community to join us in celebrating the season and supporting a cause that truly touches the hearts of so many people in our community.
“Tunnels of Joy” is a Brentwood-based neighborhood group dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Tunnels of Joy creates holiday light displays, featuring a walking path illuminated by lights and festive decorations.
Source: Tunnels of Joy
According to a post on the Tunnels of Joy Facebook page, “The reason for The Tunnels of Joy Season…ways to donate:
1. Venmo Donations go directly to the family. Just scan the QR Code.
2. Donation Boxes are located at Tunnels of Joy on La Costa Dr and Torrey Pines…you can also drop off letters to Angelo here.
3. Chick fil A on Lone Tree is donating a percentage of its Peppermint Shake sales to Angelo, now through Dec 31st.”
Chick-fil-A Antioch is located at 5705 Lone Tree Way in the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center, is open 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.
As USPS underscores readiness to deliver and meet holiday mail and shipping needsduringtheir 250th year
Postal Service encourages public to follow online holiday hub for all shipping information
Get a letter from Santa with the North Pole postmark!
CALIFORNIA — The United States Postal Service’s busiest holiday season is in full swing as its real-time Holiday Mail Counter goes live online, and Postal Service leaders say they are ready to deliver for every American’s holiday mailing and shipping needs.
The Postal Service has made continued investments in network transformation and modernization, boosting the strong and reliable service customers have come to expect throughout the organization’s 250 years of service to the nation. As it expands its role as the nation’s end-to-end carrier of choice, the Postal Service’s improvements in infrastructure, technology, and shipping standards are core components of holiday readiness in California and across the nation.
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the Postal Service and one of the most critical opportunities to serve communities in California. Throughout its 250 years of service, the organization has evolved from horseback and steamships to the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles serving communities today. Thanks to investments made in California and across the country, and the dedication of the USPS workforce, the Postal Service is prepared to deliver this holiday season reliably, quickly, and affordably.
Source: USPS
“The Postal Service plans throughout the year to deliver the nation’s mail and packages during the high-volume holiday season and we are well prepared and ready to deliver for the American public,” said Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner. “For the past several years, the Postal Service has been gaining market share in our package business, which reflects the strong value and excellent portfolio of the shipping options we provide. We expect to see a continuation of this trend in the coming holiday period and to continue winning a larger share of the nation’s shipping business.”
The Postal Service has opened hundreds of expanded facilities with new state-of-the-art sorting machines, bringing the Postal Service total to 614 packaging sorting machines across the country. These investments have resulted in a daily processing capacity of approximately 88 million packages – up from 60 million last holiday season. The Postal Service also plans to hire 14,000 temporary employees to support the holiday season, complement the full-time workforce, and ensure the Postal Service can handle the extra holiday volume across the country.
The Postal Service remains the most affordable way to send mail and packages. This holiday season, customers can expect their mail and packages to be delivered, on average, in less than three days. For shipping within the same regional service areas, holiday customers can expect a 2–3-day turnaround.
Local hours at all post offices are available at USPS.com.
The Postal Service has also launched a live holiday counter, keeping tally of how many mail pieces and packages have been accepted into the network this holiday season.
For holiday related information – including how to order free Postal Service shipping supplies – and to see the Holiday Mail Counter visit usps.com/holidaynews.
Source: USPS
Letters from Santa
Yes, there is a Santa Claus and the Postal ServiceTM can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with the North Pole Postmark! Create the excitement of Christmas, letter writing, stamps and penmanship. For detailed instructions and more information visit Greetings from the North Pole – Letters from Santa.
About USPS – Delivering Since 1775
The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Delivering since 1775 and overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Arrested by Walnut Creek Police, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; held on $200,000 bail
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that a suspect in possession of child sexual abuse material faces a four-count felony complaint.
32-year-old Ryan Allen Fenton of Antioch (born 6/13/1993) was arrested in Antioch Tuesday by Walnut Creek Police on a warrant related to a complaint the District Attorney filed with the court on February 3rd, 2025. The complaint was amended and refiled on November 25th after investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force found additional evidence Fenton was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
Fenton was arraigned Wednesday in Superior Court in Martinez at 10:30 am on the following:
· Two felony counts for possessing over 600 images of child or youth pornography on or about October 23rd, 2024, and November 25th, 2025 [PC 311.11(c)(1)].
· Two felony counts for possessing child or youth pornography on or about October 23rd, 2024, and November 25th, 2025 [PC 311.11(a)].
District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is not a victimless crime; it is an act that perpetuates the sexual abuse of children and fuels a criminal enterprise. As District Attorney, my office treats the possession of CSAM with the utmost gravity, recognizing that every image and video represents an assault on a child.”
Fenton’s preliminary hearing is set for December 9th at 8:30 am at the A.F. Bray courthouse in Martinez in Department 6. He remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond.
Case No. 01-25-00447 | The People of the State of California v. Ryan Allen Fenton
According to localcrimenews.com, Fenton was also arrested in 2020 in Inyo County for speeding, driving without a license and failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility.
New team option, expanded online catalog make fulfilling kids’ and families’ Christmas wishes easier
Santa’s Gift Shoppe — powered by Toys“R”Us — is back; ship gifts by Dec. 13 to help ensure on-time delivery for the holidays
By Meiko Patton, AI Communications Specialist, USPS
CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Postal Service today announced that USPS Operation Santa is now open for letter adoption for the 2025 holiday season. Starting today, individuals, families, workplaces and community groups can go to USPSOperationSanta.com to adopt letters to Santa and help make the holidays brighter for children and families across the country.
This year, USPS is placing a special emphasis on adopting family letters — including a new way to do it as a team — to help ensure letters from the same household are adopted and fulfilled together.
“We invite the public to join us in spreading holiday cheer by adopting a USPS Operation Santa letter,” said Sheila Holman, the Postal Service’s vice president of marketing. “Every year, we receive far more letters than those adopting. So if you have the means, we encourage you to adopt a letter. And this year we’re making it easier for groups to adopt family letters — making the holidays brighter for everyone in a household. And they’re fun and easy to complete with friends or coworkers.”
Letter Adoption Now Open
Adopters can visit USPSOperationSanta.com and follow the steps below to fulfill a letter:
Create a login and verify your identity;
Browse available letters from across the U.S;
Adopt the letters you love — including family letters;
Shop for the perfect gift through Santa’s Work Shoppe or on your own; and
Ship your gift right away through our online catalog or from a Post Office location
To help ensure gifts arrive in time for the holidays, adopters should ship gifts no later than Dec. 13. Sending gifts as early as possible helps families know their holiday wishes have been met.
Adopt Family Letters as a Team
USPS is highlighting a feature that makes it easier to fulfill letters from the same household together:
Join forces to fulfill the whole crew — One person creates the team and invites friends, family, or coworkers to help fulfill a family’s letters.
Each person take a page — Team members can claim the letter from the family that speaks to them and invite others to adopt the rest.
You’re in charge — All letters in the family must be adopted. The team admin can see unclaimed letters and adopt the remaining ones to make sure the family is fully covered.
This option is designed for offices, teams, community groups and organizations that want to make a bigger impact together.
Santa’s Gift Shoppe Makes It Easy to Shop and Ship
To help make letter adoption easier than ever, Santa’s Gift Shoppe — powered by Toys“R”Us — is back this year with a much larger selection of items. Adopters can send gifts directly from the newly expanded online catalog, saving a trip to a Post Office location and keeping the experience seamless.
Santa’s Gift Shoppe is designed to:
Give adopters a quick, easy way to find the perfect gift
Save time and money — with free shipping on orders over $49
Streamline sending gifts directly to the recipient — because all packaging and shipping is handled for you
Support adopters who want to fulfill multiple letters — including family letters — in one session
Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch, in partnership with Rising Juntos, invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of Contra Loma Estates Park on Saturday, November 15. The free, family-friendly event will take place from 12:00–2:00 PM at the corner of Mahogany Way and Manzanita Way, and will feature music, games, raffles, food, guided park tours, speeches and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
According to Parks and Recreation Department staff, “After years of community advocacy, Contra Loma Estates Park is finally re-designed by and for the community. Bring the whole family to celebrate!”
Después de años de esfuerzo de la comunidad, el Parque Contra Loma Estates finalmente se rediseñó por y para la comunidad. ¡Lleve a toda la familia a celebrar!
Located in the heart of North Antioch’s Sycamore neighborhood, Contra Loma Estates Park has long been a central focus for residents seeking safe, vibrant public space. The revitalization effort began in 2013, when Rising Juntos led a community needs assessment that identified the park as a top priority for improvement. In response, the Antioch City Council funded a community-designed playground in 2015 and new basketball courts in 2018.
Building on that foundation, the City of Antioch and Rising Juntos partnered to secure Proposition 68 funding to complete the community’s long-term vision for the park. Now, after more than a decade of advocacy, planning, and partnership, Contra Loma Estates Park is fully renovated and ready to serve as a hub for families, youth, and neighbors of all ages.
“This reopening represents the best of Antioch: community leadership, meaningful partnership, and shared investment in public space,” said City Manager Bessie Marie Scott. “Contra Loma Estates Park reflects a decade of commitment from residents, Rising Juntos, and our City team. We are proud to stand with the Sycamore community in celebrating a space that belongs to everyone.”
Rising Juntos Executive Director Rhea Elina Laughlin added, “This project is an example of what we can achieve when residents and city staff work together toward the community’s vision. We are thrilled to inaugurate this new park, designed by and for the neighborhood.”
Rocheall, a longtime Antioch resident and Rising Juntos member, shared, “I am so excited about the park re-opening. My son can’t wait to use the basketball courts and the renovated walking path. I am so happy that our neighborhood park has restrooms for families. This is a huge win for our community. Our children and future generations will now have a beautiful and safe park.”
For more information: 510-368-4544.
About Rising Juntos
The Mission of Rising Juntos is to build power for racial, economic and health justice for children and families in Contra Costa County. Led by a volunteer membership made up of resident leaders across Contra Costa County, their multicultural, intergenerational membership brings lived experience with systemic injustice and deep understanding of community needs. Rising Juntos members are the experts and driving force of their work. They have four Focus Areas: Housing and Economic Security, Healthy Parks and Communities, Equitable Representation, and Access Racial and Immigrant Justice.
La liberación de los beneficios de CalFresh en California para noviembre
All County offices will be closed for Veterans Day holiday, Tuesday, Nov. 11
By Tish Gallegos, PIO, Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department
(Martinez, Calif.) – California residents are seeing the restoration of their CalFresh benefits to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards as the federal government issues 100% of the funding following a court order. CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program (SNAP), provides critical food assistance to households and County residents.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has confirmed the loading of CalFresh benefits to EBT cards for November-eligible recipients who should have received them from Nov. 1-6. CDSS expects the loading to continue for those who were regularly scheduled to receive them Nov. 7-10.
CalFresh recipients can check on their CalFresh benefits by visiting BenefitsCal.com, calling 1(866) 663-3225, or visiting an EHSD office (find office locations at ehsd.org). Note that all County offices will be closed for the Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday, November 11.
With the release of funding to load EBT cards, Contra Costa County is pausing its recently announced plan to distribute debit cards to CalFresh participants eligible for the benefit in November. The distribution was expected to fill the gap from the lapse of federal funding that threatened the food security of 107,020 individuals in Contra Costa County, more than half children and older adults. Earlier this week, the Board of Supervisors’ unanimously approved up to $21 million from the County’s General Fund authorizing the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) to implement the debit card distribution plan.
“We are committed to supporting our community members and remain prepared to possibly distribute the debit cards at a later time if CalFresh (SNAP) funding is further disrupted,” said Board Chair Candace Andersen, District 2 Supervisor. “It is uncertain what will happen with CalFresh benefits for December, and we will hold the County funds in reserve as we watch for the federal government to reach a funding solution.”
The Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency this week due to the federal government shutdown disrupting CalFresh funding. The declaration stands for 60 days, and EHSD expects to report back to the Board about the need to continue the local emergency.
For residents who need food resources, the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano’s Find Food in My City page is available to search by city or zip code for food distribution sites. Community members can also call (855) 309-FOOD (3663).
Additional Resources
Contra Costa Crisis Center- crisis-center.org; call 988 or (800) 273-8255; or text “HOPE” to 20121
ehsd.org – CalFresh updates related to the federal government shutdown
En Español
(Martínez, California) – Los residentes de California están viendo la restauración de sus beneficios de CalFresh a las tarjetas de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT) ya que el gobierno federal emite el 100% de los fondos luego de una orden judicial. CalFresh, conocido federalmente como el Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria de Nutrición Suplementaria (SNAP por sus siglas en Inglés), brinda asistencia alimentaria crítica a los hogares y residentes del condado.
El Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California (CDSS por sus siglas en Inglés) ha confirmado la carga de los beneficios de CalFresh a las tarjetas EBT para los beneficiarios elegibles para noviembre que deberían haberlos recibido del 1 al 6 de noviembre. CDSS espera que la carga continúe para aquellos que están programados regularmente para recibirlos del 7 al 10 de noviembre.
Los beneficiarios de CalFresh pueden verificar sus beneficios de CalFresh visitando BenefitsCal.com, llamando al 1(866) 663-3225 o visitando una oficina de EHSD (encuentre las ubicaciones de las oficinas en ehsd.org). Tenga en cuenta que todas las oficinas del condado estarán cerradas por el feriado del Día de los Veteranos el martes 11 de noviembre.
La Junta de Supervisores sigue comprometida a apoyar a los hogares que no reciben beneficios de CalFresh debido al cierre del gobierno. Cualquier hogar que no haya recibido sus beneficios antes del lunes, puede llamar o venir a una ubicación de EHSD para obtener ayuda. Consulte ehsd.org para conocer las ubicaciones.
A principios de esta semana, la Junta de Supervisores aprobó por unanimidad hasta $21 millones del Fondo General del Condado que autoriza al Departamento de Empleo y Servicios Humanos (EHSD) a implementar el plan de distribución de tarjetas de débito.
“Estamos comprometidos a apoyar a los miembros de nuestra comunidad y seguimos preparados para posiblemente distribuir las tarjetas de débito si los fondos de CalFresh (SNAP) se interrumpen aún más”, dijo la presidenta de la junta, Candace Andersen, supervisora del Distrito 2. “No está claro qué sucederá con los beneficios de CalFresh para diciembre, y mantendremos los fondos del condado en reserva mientras esperamos que el gobierno federal llegue a una solución de financiamiento”.
La Junta de Supervisores declaró una emergencia local esta semana debido al gobierno federal interrupción de la financiación de CalFresh. La declaración tiene una duración de 60 días, y EHSD espera informar a la Junta sobre la necesidad de continuar con la emergencia local.
Para los residentes que necesitan recursos alimentarios, la página Find Food in My City del Banco de Alimentos de Contra Costa y Solano está disponible para buscar por ciudad o código postal los sitios de distribución de alimentos. Los miembros de la comunidad también pueden llamar al (855) 309-FOOD (3663).
Recursos adicionales
• Centro de Crisis de Contra Costa: crisis-center.org; llame al 988 o al (800) 273-8255; o envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra “HOPE” al 20121
• Base de datos 211 de Contra Costa – Centro de crisis de Contra Costa – base de datos completa de servicios sociales y de salud locales para residentes de Contra Costa
• CAfoodbanks.org – Sitio web de los Bancos de Alimentos de California
• ehsd.org – Actualizaciones de CalFresh relacionadas con el cierre del gobierno federal
As federal SNAP food benefits are cut during shutdown
EL CONDADO SE PREPARA PARA APOYAR A LOS RESIDENTES CUYOS BENEFICIOS DE ALIMENTOS ESTÁN SIENDO REDUCIDOS
El condado se prepara para distribuir tarjetas de débito para comestibles a 107,000 inscritos en CalFresh
By Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John Gioia
Contra Costa County is stepping up to help our neediest County residents due to the Federal government’s failure to fund its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which is called CalFresh here in California. SNAP serves 1 in 8 Americans and is a major part of our nation’s social safety net.
Failing to fund this benefit threatens the food security of 107,000 County residents, 55% of whom are children and seniors. The average monthly benefit for a family of 3 is $573 per month.
The Federal Government’s failure to fund SNAP benefits also threatens the financial sustainability of 706 retailers (most are locally owned neighborhood markets) who sell groceries to CalFresh families.
Our Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) has developed a plan to distribute debit cards to CalFresh enrollees who live in our County. These debit cards, whose value will be similar to a family’s existing benefit amount, will be distributed soon at a date to be announced at our busiest EHSD lobbies at:
EHSD and the County Sheriff’s Office are partnering to ensure security of debit cards and safety at these locations.
Subject to the Board of Supervisors vote next Tuesday, where we will declare a Local Emergency, we plan to allocate up to $21 million out of our rainy day reserves to fund these benefits for the month of November. We are able to do this because of our County’s responsible fiscal management and AAA bond rating.
Food boxes for needy families, even those who are not CalFresh enrollees, will be available starting Monday, November 3rd, at these same four locations. Needy families, regardless of immigration status, are welcome to come by.
If anyone needs food now, go to the Contra Costa/Solano Food Bank’s Find Food in My City Link to see where to pick up free food near where you live.
A Federal Court decision on Saturday ruled that the Trump Administration must continue to fund SNAP food benefits using contingency funds during the government shutdown. However, it is unclear when debit cards used by enrollees can be reloaded with the November benefit amount. It can take one to two weeks to do this.
That’s why the County is moving forward with its plan to support hard working families who rely on this vital food benefit.
We continue to work with our Federal legislators to advocate for an immediate end to the harmful government shutdown.
Español
El Condado de Contra Costa está tomando medidas para ayudar a nuestros residentes más necesitados debido a la falta de financiamiento del gobierno federal para su programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP), conocido en California como CalFresh. SNAP atiende a 1 de cada 8 estadounidenses y es una parte fundamental de la red de seguridad social de nuestra nación.
No financiar este beneficio pone en riesgo la seguridad alimentaria de 107,000 residentes del condado, de los cuales el 55% son niños y personas mayores. El beneficio mensual promedio para una familia de tres personas es de $573 por mes.
La falta de financiamiento del gobierno federal para los beneficios de SNAP también amenaza la sostenibilidad financiera de 706 minoristas (la mayoría son mercados locales de vecindario) que venden alimentos a las familias que usan CalFresh.
Nuestro Departamento de Empleo y Servicios Humanos (EHSD) ha desarrollado un plan para distribuir tarjetas de débito a los inscritos en CalFresh que viven en nuestro condado. Estas tarjetas, cuyo valor será similar al monto actual del beneficio familiar, se distribuirán pronto en una fecha que se anunciará en las siguientes oficinas más concurridas del EHSD:
4545 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch
151 Linus Pauling Dr., Hercules
400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill
1305 MacDonald Ave., Richmond
El EHSD y la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado están colaborando para garantizar la seguridad de las tarjetas de débito y la seguridad en estos lugares.
Sujeto a la votación de la Junta de Supervisores el próximo martes, donde se declarará una Emergencia Local, planeamos asignar hasta $21 millones de nuestras reservas de emergencia para financiar estos beneficios durante el mes de noviembre. Podemos hacerlo gracias a la gestión fiscal responsable de nuestro condado y a nuestra calificación crediticia AAA.
Las cajas de alimentos para familias necesitadas, incluso para aquellas que no están inscritas en CalFresh, estarán disponibles a partir del lunes 3 de noviembre en los mismos cuatro lugares. Las familias necesitadas, sin importar su estatus migratorio, son bienvenidas a acudir.
Si alguien necesita alimentos ahora, puede visitar el enlace Find Food in My City del Banco de Alimentos de Contra Costa/Solano para saber dónde recoger alimentos gratuitos cerca de su domicilio.
Una decisión del tribunal federal el sábado dictaminó que la Administración Trump debe continuar financiando los beneficios alimentarios de SNAP utilizando fondos de contingencia durante el cierre del gobierno. Sin embargo, no está claro cuándo podrán recargarse las tarjetas de débito con el monto del beneficio de noviembre. Esto podría tardar de una a dos semanas.
Por eso, el condado avanza con su plan para apoyar a las familias trabajadoras que dependen de este beneficio alimentario vital.
Seguimos trabajando con nuestros legisladores federales para abogar por el fin inmediato del perjudicial cierre del gobierno.
Kaiser Permanente staff and White Pony Express volunteers distributed groceries and essential goods to residents at the Kaiser Deer Valley in Antioch on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Photos by White Pony Express
Community partners joined forces in Antioch to deliver fresh groceries, essential goods and compassion to hundreds of local families
By Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations & Trish Heaney – Marketing & Communications Manager, White Pony Express
Antioch, Calif. — On Saturday, October 18, 2025, White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente came together at Kaiser’s Antioch Medical Center to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the rescue and delivery of 32 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food since WPE’s founding in 2013.
The joyful Drive-thru Giveaway welcomed hundreds of local residents who received bags brimming with healthy groceries, hygiene kits, toys, books, and sweet treats. In total, WPE distributed more than 5,000 pounds of fresh foodand 1,000 hygiene kits, along with See’s Candies and other gifts to brighten the day for every family who came through.
The celebration was more than a giveaway—it was a gathering of community spirit and compassion. Volunteers offered smiles and encouragement, and new connections were formed in the heart of Antioch, strengthening bonds across East Contra Costa County.
“At White Pony Express, we believe that when one neighbor is fed, we’re all nourished,” said Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express. “Together with Kaiser Permanente and our community partners, we celebrate this milestone not only in pounds of food shared, but in the love that flows from neighbor to neighbor. This event reminds us that compassion is our greatest resource—and when we share it freely, everyone benefits.”
Eve added, “Today, collaboration is needed more than ever. These partnerships enable us to maximize resources. Working together, we believe we can provide access to good food to everybody in our community. And we couldn’t do it without partnerships like this.”
Pam Galley, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area, shared, “At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that food is medicine, and good nutrition helps prevent and treat chronic disease. Everyone deserves access to healthy food, and through community partnerships like this one with White Pony Express, we are helping to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
Together, White Pony Express and Kaiser Permanente demonstrated what’s possible when compassion meets action—when organizations unite to ensure every neighbor has access to the nourishment and care they deserve.
About White Pony Express
Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered nonprofit based in Contra Costa County. Its mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need—with love. WPE now rescues and redistributes approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh food daily to more than 100 partner agencies, supported by 1,200 dedicated volunteers who live the motto: “All of us taking care of all of us.”
