OUR HISTORY
The Rotary Club of Palo Alto founded and incorporated La Comida in 1972 as the first lunch program for older adults in the county. Two years later, we received a federal grant through the Older Americans Act to grow our operations. We became the first congregate senior nutrition program in Santa Clara County to manage its program under the auspices of the Council on Aging. We served our first meals in the Parish Hall at the All Saints Church at the corner of Hamilton and Waverley Avenues, then federal and Rotary Club of Palo Alto funds allowed us to outfit the kitchen and dining room at the Avenidas Senior Center. Today, we serve tens of thousands of weekday lunches each year at Palo Alto’s Stevenson House and in Downtown Palo Alto at the First United Methodist Church.
MISSION
La Comida de California is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving Palo Alto area seniors a delicious, warm, sit-down meal each weekday; providing a nurturing environment in which they can commune and build friendships; and contributing to their inclusion and belonging. La Comida is where friends and food meet.
VISION
Our vision is to elevate awareness of the importance of seniors in Palo Alto by connecting people of all ages in a positive and visible way. We will do this by continuing to provide healthy, sit-down meals each weekday. Over time, we will expand to serve more seniors in more locations while building alliances with people and programs that further our mission. We will also engage and energize Palo Alto residents to support and volunteer for senior needs, causes, and projects.
STAFF
Mary Ruth Batchelder
Mary Ruth started learning to cook at age 13 and has been working in the food industry since attending Cal Poly’s Dietetics and Food Administration program. She has been La Comida’s Site Manager since December 2002.
RAELENE PARKER
Raelene has rejoined La Comida team as our Downtown Site Manager as of August 2023. She is a welcome addition to our staff. Raelene is familiar with La Comida having previously worked with us in 2020! Raelene is studying to become a Physical Therapist after receiving her Bachelor of Science from Howard University.
La Comida’s Culinary Team
(From left to right) Erick Millan, Juan Carlos Barrios, Bernabe Tellez, Chef Candelario Samaniegoz.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
