Open Heart Kitchen Raises $45,000 as Pleasanton Updates Board Stipends

Charitable food security, school district governance, and statewide homeowner insurance reform topped community news for Tri-Valley and East Bay households this week. Livermore-based Open Heart Kitchen raised $45,000 during its autumn fundraising drive with a matching grant from the Community Health and Education Foundation, while Pleasanton school trustees voted 3 to 2 to update monthly board stipends starting January 1, 2027 and former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim claimed victory in the California Insurance Commissioner election.

Open Heart Kitchen Raises $45,000 for Tri-Valley Hunger Relief

Founded in 1995 and recognized as the Tri-Valley's largest hunger-relief organization after providing nearly 1 million meals in 2025, Open Heart Kitchen (OHK) raised $30,000 in community contributions during its September-through-October "More than a Meal" campaign and unlocked a 50% match of $15,000 from the Community Health and Education Foundation (CHEF) for a total of $45,000.

"Reaching our goal ahead of the deadline is a testament to what our community can accomplish when we come together to support our neighbors," Open Heart Kitchen Executive Director John Bost said, thanking donors and CHEF for sustaining free meals and groceries across the region.

Pleasanton School Trustees Vote 3–2 to Adjust Monthly Stipends for 2027

In Pleasanton, the 5-member school board voted 3 to 2 on October 22 to raise monthly trustee stipends from $463 to $1,200 effective January 1, 2027, adding $44,220 annually to bring total board compensation to $72,000. Authorized under Assembly Bill 1390—which updated 1984 attendance-based statutory caps to allow up to $2,000 monthly—the compromise figure followed an initial $1,600-to-$1,800 proposal by Board President Kelly Baehr, who noted that Antioch Unified approved $2,000 per month and Dublin Unified approved $1,600 per month in June.

Baehr, Trustee Charlie Jones (who emphasized lowering barriers for future candidates over 7 generations), and Trustee Laurie Walker voted in favor, supported in public comment by former student trustee Saachi Bhayani and resident Bill Foley. Trustees Justin Brown and Mary Jo Carreon, along with Association of Pleasanton Teachers President Evan Branning, opposed the increase while 18 months of teacher contract negotiations remain underway.

Jane Kim Claims Victory in California Insurance Commissioner Race

At the state level, former two-term San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim claimed victory on Friday in the race for California Insurance Commissioner after Secretary of State returns showed her leading state Sen. Ben Allen of Santa Monica 52.7% to 47.3% (up from just under 52% on Tuesday night as related statewide counts shifted by 11 points across 3 ballot propositions and 2 local tax measures). Allen telephoned Kim on Friday to congratulate her, and Kim pledged to work with the Legislature on homeowners insurance affordability and alternatives to the state's FAIR Plan.