Press Release
Mama’s Kitchen Receives Bequest from Joan B. Kroc Estate
San Diego , CA - Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit meal delivery service dedicated to providing meals 365 days a year to San Diegans affected by AIDS, is honored and humbled to announce that they received a $500,000 bequest from the estate of the late and esteemed San Diego philanthropist Joan B. Kroc. “This gift is an affirmation of Mrs. Kroc’s belief in the mission of Mama’s Kitchen, and in Mama’s vital role in the community. Most importantly, it is an affirmation of Mrs. Kroc’s commitment to help address the needs of people affected by AIDS,” says Alberto Cortés, executive director of Mama’s Kitchen.
Joan Kroc’s entire gift of $500,000 will be placed in Mama’s Promise Fund – Mama’s Kitchen’s newly established endowment fund. “Mrs. Kroc’s gift is the single largest gift ever received by Mama’s Kitchen. Our promise is to be here for the community for as long as our services are needed, until there is a cure for AIDS. Joan Kroc’s gift will ensure our future viability as a small and fairly young nonprofit organization,” explains director of development Edith Glassey.
With the onset of new drug therapies, people with HIV/AIDS are living longer. And the nutrition provided by Mama’s Kitchen is critical to the effectiveness of the medications. In addition, the changing face of AIDS also means that more minorities are being affected by the epidemic. Most recent data indicate that almost 50% of Mama’s clients are from the African American and Latino population.
Executive Director Alberto Cortés explained what this gift will mean to Mama’s Kitchen, “We have never turned anyone away who has needed our services. The bequest from Joan Kroc will ensure that we will not have a waiting list of clients. Each day as we prepare and deliver our meals throughout San Diego County, we will be reminded of Joan Kroc’s generous spirit. Her gift validates our mission and the impact that our volunteers, staff, and board contributes to the San Diego community.”
About Mama's Kitchen
Mama's Kitchen was founded in 1990 when volunteers from the AIDS Assistance Fund, a food bank for people with AIDS, discovered that many of their clients were becoming too ill to take care of themselves. They realized that a reliable home meal delivery service was needed to ensure that these individuals would continue to receive nutritious food. Today, Mama's Kitchen prepares and delivers three meals a day for every day of the week to about 300 men, women, and children affected by AIDS or other critical illnesses in San Diego County. Mama’s Kitchen is located at 1875 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. For more information, visit http://www.mamaskitchen.org.
Immediate Release Contact:
Melinda Balkom, Director of Development and Communications, Mama’s Kitchen
Direct: 619-233-6262 x112 | melinda@mamaskitchen.org
