Martha’s Kitchen was born out of a simple act of kindness. In 1981, our founder, Louise Benson, began making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in her garage to share with hungry neighbors in San Jose. Her commitment to feeding others grew beyond what one person could manage; what began as a “little soup kitchen” quickly became a gathering place where dignity, compassion, and nourishment were shared in equal measure.

Nearly 45 years later, Martha’s Kitchen has transformed into one of the region’s most trusted providers of food security. While San Jose has always been our home, our work now extends far beyond one kitchen. Today, we prepare and distribute more than 200,000 meals every month, reaching communities across Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Fresno, and San Benito Counties. Through our hot meal service and food rescue efforts, we provide balanced meals that include proteins, fresh vegetables, and wholesome grains, because we believe food is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right. Alongside our network of 60 partner organizations, dedicated volunteers, and generous supporters, we meet people where they are: in schools, senior centers, shelters, and neighborhoods where hunger is most acute. Each meal we serve is a reminder that compassion, dignity, and community are at the heart of everything we do.

The story of Martha’s Kitchen is still unfolding. As the need for food assistance continues to grow, so too does our responsibility to rise to the challenge and meet it. After years of operating at capacity, we recognized that our existing facilities could no longer keep pace with demand. That realization led to a bold new chapter: the creation of our Food Hub in East San Jose in 2025. This new space represents both an expansion and an evolution, designed to increase our capacity to produce, rescue, and distribute meals at a scale that will sustain our communities for years to come. With more space for storage, preparation, and volunteer engagement, the Food Hub enables us to expand our services, deepen partnerships, and strengthen our role as a cornerstone of regional food security. Also in 2025, we expanded services in San Benito County, launching congregate meals and Meals on Wheels for seniors, thereby further extending our reach to some of the region’s most vulnerable neighbors. We envision a future where no senior goes without a hot meal, no child has to wonder where their next meal will come from, and no family is left behind.

The future is here, and with it, Martha’s Kitchen is poised to serve more neighbors, more effectively, than ever before.