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 in Palo Alto’s Stevenson House, Masonic Center, and Cubberley Community Center.
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 is the Site Coordinator at La Comida’s downtown location at Masonic Center. She strives to ensure seniors have another safe place where they can feel at home.
La Comida’s Culinary Team
(From left to right) Bernabe Tellez, Juan Carlos Barrios, Felipe Neri Cruz-Lucero, Manny Monroy, Chef Candelario Samaniegoz
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOT PICTURED ABOVE
Stephanie Beach
Stephanie is a retired distribution coordinator, elementary school, and YMCA teacher. She volunteers with Palo Alto Auxiliary of LPCH.
Davina Brown
Davina is a retired contract negotiator and a volunteer at the American Cancer Discovery Shop. She enjoys family, friends, and travel.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Alison Cormack, Palo Alto City Council
David Epstein, Entrepreneur, Investor, Advisor
David Hornik, Partner, August Capital
Roger Smith, Owner, Smith Venture Group and Founding President & CEO, Silicon Valley Bank
Judith Steiner, Former President, Acterra Board
Mila Zelkha, Palantir Community Outreach
La Comida is currently seeking new board members! If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team, please contact us at (650) 322-3742 or manager@lacomida.org
