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Residents urge Milpitas council not to raise food pantry rent, warn of closures and reduced services
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the Milpitas City Council on June 16 that raising rent on the Milpitas Food Pantry to market rate would force service cuts or closure; speakers described client loads (about 500 clients/month and 2,000 unique clients/year) and asked the council to keep the pantry's current lease terms.
During the public forum at the June 16 Milpitas City Council meeting, several longtime residents and pantry staff urged the council not to move the Milpitas Food Pantry to a market‑rate lease. Speakers said the pantry provides food to roughly 500 clients per month and more than 2,000 unique clients per year and that an increase to market rental rates (staff noted more than $5,000 per month as a cited figure) would force a reduction in food purchases or eventual closure.
Key testimony: Stacy Brobst, administrative assistant at the Milpitas Food Pantry, said the pantry buys about $1,000 of food per week — roughly half of its operating expenses — and that a reversion to the previous rent ($1,600/month) constitutes about 40% of the pantry’s food budget. She told council that an increase to market rate would put the pantry “out of business.” Volunteer and longtime resident Yoli Garcia and other commenters echoed those concerns and urged the council to reconsider any lease changes.
Council response and options: Council members acknowledged the plea. During later CDBG discussion, staff said CDBG funding could be explored but that HUD reporting requirements complicate awarding CDBG dollars to some pantry models (for example, verifying client income). Staff committed to contacting the pantry and HUD representatives to review application options for future funding cycles.
Why it matters: The pantry serves vulnerable residents who depend on regular assistance. Potential rent increases would change the pantryʼs budget calculus and could reduce local food security unless alternative funding or in‑kind supports are secured.
Next steps: Staff said they will reach out to the pantry, provide application information if eligible, and review whether the pantry can meet HUD reporting requirements for CDBG grants.
