- Human Relations Commission
Human Relations Commission - December 11, 2025
Palo Alto food providers described rising demand and access gaps to the Human Relations Commission, which also elected Michelle Kraus as chair.
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Providers report greater food needs and gaps in access
Covenant Presbyterian Church at East Meadow and Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA
Local food providers told the Human Relations Commission that demand is increasing as food availability from Second Harvest declines, requiring providers to rely more heavily on purchased food, fundraising, volunteers and donations. The commission received the presentations but took no formal action.
A presentation said one in six Silicon Valley residents relies on Second Harvest for food. The South Palo Alto Food Closet reported serving about 200 households, representing roughly 300 to 400 people, while La Comida reported providing more than 70,000 meals annually and serving as many as 300 to 350 people a day.
Providers identified persistent access gaps for people without transportation, older adults living alone, unhoused people and vehicle residents. They also said some residents’ CalFresh benefits do not cover a full month of food. One public commenter urged the creation of a coordinated county food-rescue system to move perishable grocery food to partner agencies more quickly.
City human-services staff said they would explore ways to bring nonprofits together for training or other collaboration. Chair Mary Kate Stimmler encouraged commissioners to consider food insecurity during the January work-plan process and in future work groups, but the commission did not formally adopt that direction.
Michelle Kraus elected chair as Katie Causey wins split vice-chair vote
Michelle Kraus was elected to a one-year term as Human Relations Commission chair with six votes in favor and one abstention. Mary Kate Stimmler declined nomination for another term as chair.
Katie Causey was elected vice chair on a 4-3 vote. Kraus assumed the chair role and presided over the vice-chair election.
Before the elections, one public commenter urged the commission to choose someone other than Kraus, citing concerns about her prior responses to community members and suitability for the leadership position.
Commission lays groundwork for January work-plan retreat
The commission began preparing for a work-plan retreat scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026, at 6 p.m., reviewing accomplishments from April 2024 through December 2025. No motion or vote was taken.
Stimmler recommended focusing the next work plan on areas where the city can act, building on work presented over the previous 18 months and reorganizing subcommittees around existing priorities rather than starting over. Katie Causey supported that approach.
After the retreat, commission leadership and staff are expected to formalize a proposed work plan for commission consideration and later City Council approval. Amy Hsieh also reported that the needs-assessment process and consultant work were under review and that a new statement could be shared at the retreat.
Primary sources
Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet