White Pony Express aims to chip away at food insecurity in the East Bay by finding ways to get surplus — yet high-quality — food into the hands of those who need nutritious sustenance.

Since 2013, it has been working to obtain excess food from operators such as grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets and wholesalers. The East Bay nonprofit believes that little by little, it can make a difference in the battle against hunger.

“We try to connect food abundance in Contra Costa County with those in great need of healthy and nutritious food,” said White Pony Express Chief Executive Officer Eve Birge.

The Concord-based nonprofit has created a network to make these connections more efficient.

“Our Food Rescue Program recovers a daily average of 12,000 pounds of high-quality food from grocers, farmers markets, restaurants, and wholesalers,” the nonprofit states on its website.

After gathering the surplus food, the nonprofit’s workers and volunteers bring it to its distribution centers for sorting.

Antioch Unified School District is among the recipients of the nonprofit’s efforts to bring food to those in need. Lindsay Lopez-Wisely, the district’s director of secondary education, believes White Pony Express is making a significant difference.

“We are seeing more struggles for families these days, with inflation, high food prices,” Lopez-Wisely said. “We are very grateful for our partnership with White Pony Express.”

White Pony Express has set up school pantries at 16 locations in Contra Costa County. At least 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches through the pantries, which operate on a school campus once or twice a week.