Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express with the Chick-fil-A Moo Cow. Photo: WPE
Help county food recovery organization earn up to $200,000 grant
By Trish Heaney, Communication & Marketing Manager for White Pony Express
Concord, Calif. – White Pony Express (WPE), the food recovery organization serving Contra Costa County, has been named a Western Region finalist for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards®, with the opportunity to earn up to $200,000 in grant funding to help end hunger in our community. White Pony Express was nominated by the Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Walnut Creek at North Main and Chick-fil-A The Willows.
White Pony Express is already a Shared Table® partner with both restaurants, regularly receiving donated surplus food to help prepare meals for neighbors facing hunger — a partnership that made this nomination a natural fit.
The award is decided by public vote. Chick-fil-A One® App users can cast their vote for White Pony Express in the Western Region now through September 30. To vote:
- Sign in to your Chick-fil-A One® account (or create one) in the Chick-fil-A App
- Select “For You” at the bottom of the screen and look for the True Inspiration Awards card
- Tap “Vote Now”
- Select Western Region
- Cast your vote for White Pony Express
- Bring proof of your vote to the Chick-fil-A Walnut Creek at North Main or The Willows for a free medium fries.
“Every vote is a chance to put more good food into motion and deliver it with love to neighbors who need it,” said Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express. “This award would help us say yes to more than 70 organizations that are in line for our services. It would mean more children, families, and seniors sharing in our community’s abundance.”
White Pony Express currently provides the equivalent of 13,000 fresh, healthy meals each day—free of charge—to more than 140 schools, shelters, senior centers, and community organizations across Contra Costa County. With more than 70 organizations waiting for service, the award would help WPE recover more good food, reach more neighbors, and respond to a level of need that continues to outpace available resources.
The need is growing. Food insecurity among low-income adults has risen sharply across the Bay Area, including in Contra Costa County, according to the California Health Interview Survey. A win would help White Pony Express increase deliveries and reach some of the more than 70 nonprofit organizations on the waitlist. Community members are encouraged to vote and share the opportunity before voting closes on September 30.
How can I vote for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards?
Vote in the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards until Sept. 30
From September 1 through September 30, 2026, Chick-fil-A One® Members can place their vote for the True Inspiration Awards® within the Chick-fil-A® App. To help select the award winners, follow the instructions below:
- Sign in to your Chick-fil-A One® account (or create one) in the Chick-fil-A App.
- Select “For You” at the bottom of the screen.
- Click the “Vote Now” button.
- Select your geographical region.
- Read about this year’s regional finalists and cast your vote.
Please note, customers must use the Chick-fil-A App and a Chick-fil-A One Account to place a vote.
The 2027 True Inspiration Awards grant winners will be announced in early 2027. For more information, visit here.
About White Pony Express
Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on a simple truth: hunger is not a scarcity problem; it is a distribution problem. Every day, WPE recovers fresh food and essential goods from local businesses and delivers them—free of charge—to more than 140 nonprofit partners. Its work is powered by a small staff and more than 2,000 volunteers, united by the idea that we are one human family, and love only gives its best. Fore more information visit https://whiteponyexpress.org.
About the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards
The Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards were established in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. The program supports organizations dedicated to caring for people, caring through food, caring for communities, and caring for our planet. Grants range from $30,000 to $200,000.
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