An essential food service provider in Santa Clara County is being stretched thin under federal cuts — including not knowing how it will pay for its new facility.
Martha’s Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides millions of cooked meals every year for people in need, has moved into a 31,900-square-foot building on 749 Story Road in San Jose. But it’s paying off a $7.5 million loan for the facilities, and needs an additional $3 million to $5 million to construct a commercial kitchen. In addition, Martha’s Kitchen is getting fewer food donations to make meals, causing it to dig deeper into its own pocket.
Executive Director Bill Lee said he had been talking with San Jose officials to apply for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the building. But those grants have been halted due to President Donald Trump imposing certain conditions to receive funding, including not using grants to help undocumented immigrants. CDBG funds programs that focus on community development, including meals for older adults, home and building repairs, microenterprise programs and more…