Press Release
Thanksgiving Pie Sales is Mission Critical for Mama's Kitchen
Non-profit organization to raise $100,000 as a result of shrinking government funding; Mama’s Pie In The Sky begins Oct. 18, ends Nov. 15
SAN DIEGO – The Mama’s Pie In The Sky bake sale is now in it’s second year, and is the largest, organized bake sale of its kind in San Diego (and possibly the West Coast). San Diego’s top bakers, caterers and chefs that include the Sycuan Resort and Casino and The French Gourmet, generously donate delectable holiday pies. These apple, pecan and pumpkin pies are sure to warm the hearts and tables of thousands throughout San Diego County neighborhoods this Thanksgiving. Pies are $20 each.
Every pie sold pays for almost half of each client’s weekly meals – meals they might not have had without Mama’s Kitchen and the support of the community. This year, Mama's Kitchen hopes to sell 5,000 pies and raise $100,000 to directly fund thousands of free, hot nutritious meals and help ensure that no one living with HIV/AIDS or other critical illnesses in the community will go hungry. Clients live in all regions of San Diego County: north to Oceanside, east to Alpine, south to Otay Mesa and Chula Vista as well as central San Diego and the beach communities. Mama's Kitchen has never turned away anyone in need of help and the net proceeds of this year’s Mama’s Pie In The Sky program, sponsored by Wells Fargo, Sycuan Resort and Casino, and JACK 100.7 FM (KFMB), will enable her to keep her promise.
Individuals and business volunteers from throughout San Diego County will pre-sell the pies from Oct. 18 to Nov. 15. Pie buyers can select from more than 30 sites (see attached), including selected Wells Fargo Bank locations, throughout San Diego County to pick up their pies on Wed., Nov. 22, the day before the Thanksgiving holiday. Pies can also be purchased online at http://www.mamaskitchen.org.
Volunteers are needed from throughout San Diego County to sell pies and raise awareness for this critical meal delivery service program. A training and kick-off party is Thurs., Oct. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. at Mama’s Kitchen, 1875 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. A second training is Sat., Oct. 14 also at Mama’s Kitchen. Tues., Oct. 10 is the deadline to sign-up to become a sales volunteer. For more information, visit http://www.mamaskitchen.org or contact Denise Scatena at Mama’s Kitchen, 619-233-6262.
Mission expansion creates new opportunity, challenges. In March 2006, the Board of Directors officially expanded the organization’s mission to deliver meals to San Diego County residents with critical illnesses under the age of 60 years. The Critical Illness Nutrition Program provides vital nutrition for people struggling with cancer, diabetes, amputations, blindness, ALS, schizophrenia, strokes, spinal cord injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. “These new clients need Mama’s Kitchen just as much as our AIDS clients, and our broadened mission means that we serve all of San Diego County, not just those with a particular illness,” says Alberto Cortes, executive director, Mama’s Kitchen. Providing vital nutritional services to clients who are critically ill could reduce medical costs with a value in millions of dollars, in San Diego County alone. Approximately 10% of all clients participate in the Critical Illness Nutrition Program, while 90% of clients are affected by AIDS/HIV.
Mama’s Kitchen is not a “soup kitchen” for people with AIDS or other critical illnesses. “We are a vital component of a patient’s overall healthcare plan and our meals serve as critical nutritional assistance for people at risk of life-threatening weight loss and malnutrition,” says Cortes. A Registered Dietician supervises the meal planning to provide a high-calorie, nutrient-rich diet to supplement the numerous medications taken by most people with AIDS or critical illnesses, many of which are toxic when taken on an empty stomach. With a proper diet, medications work wonders and a person’s quality of life is enhanced and their life-span is increased. Clients are referred to Mama’s Kitchen services by a social services case worker.
While the mission expansion provides new opportunity for the organization and a solution to thousands in need, Cortes and the Board of Directors are very concerned about funding resources for their core group of clients: men, women, and children affected by AIDS/HIV. Mama’s Kitchen is experiencing a reduction in funding from Ryan White AIDS funding from the federal government to support the organization’s nutritional and meal delivery services. It’s a problem affecting numerous organizations like Mama’s Kitchen throughout the United States. In recent years, Ryan White AIDS funding was 30% of the organization’s annual budget. Now, it is 17%. Funding from local government has also decreased, and currently makes up only 1% of the entire operating budget. The Mama’s Pie in the Sky program hopes to replace this shortfall in funding.
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.
- Pick-Up Sites are open 10 am-4 pm, except for Mama’s Kitchen which will be open from 8:30 am until 6 pm
Central San Diego
Balboa & Genesee Wells Fargo 5522 Balboa Avenue, 92111
Downtown Mama’s Kitchen 1875 Second Avenue, 92101
Fashion Valley Neiman Marcus 7027 Friars Road, 92108
Hillcrest First Unitarian
Universalist Church 4190 Front Street, 92103
Hillcrest Tristany Group 3896 Fifth Avenue, 92103
Kearny Mesa TLC Staffing 8788 Balboa Avenue, 92123
Kensington Century 21 4134 Adams Avenue, 92116
La Jolla Wells Fargo 7714 Girard Avenue, 92037
Mira Mesa Wells Fargo 10788 Black Mountain Road, 92126
Mission Hills Wells Fargo 510 W. Washington Street, 92103
North Park San Diego Art Dept. 3830 Ray Street, 92104
Pacific Beach Wells Fargo 1302 Garnet Avenue, 92109
Point Loma Devin Properties 3625 Midway Drive, Suite E, 92110
Sorrento Mesa Wells Fargo 9276 Scranton Road, 92121
UTC/Golden Triangle Wells Fargo 4315 La Jolla Village Drive, 92122
South San Diego
Bonita Wells Fargo 4180 Bonita Road, 91920
Chula Vista Wells Fargo 826 Third Avenue, 91911
Coronado Wells Fargo 829 Orange Avenue, 92118
Eastlake Village Wells Fargo 2265 Otay Lakes Rd, 91915
National City Wells Fargo 1199 Highland Avenue, 91950
North County Coastal
Del Mar Highlands Wells Fargo 3445 Del Mar Heights Road, 92130
Encinitas Rhino Art Co. 97 N. Coast Hwy 101, 92024
La Costa/Carlsbad Wells Fargo 6961 El Camino Real, 92009
Oceanside Wells Fargo 2701 Vista Way, 92054
(El Camino Real & Hwy 78)
Solana Beach Wells Fargo 245 Santa Helena, 92075
East County
El Cajon Borders Bookstore 159 Fletcher Parkway, 92020
Grossmont Center Wells Fargo 5500 Grossmont Ctr Dr, 91942
North County Inland
Escondido Wells Fargo 444 S. Escondido Blvd., 92025
Poway Wells Fargo 14815 Pomerado Road, 92064
Rancho Bernardo Wells Fargo 16901 Bernardo Center Drive, 92128
San Marcos Wells Fargo 1000 W. San Marcos Blvd., 92078
Scripps Poway Wells Fargo 12030 Scripps Summit Drive, 92131
Media Contact:
Denise Scatena, Public Relations Manager, Mama’s Kitchen
Direct: 619-218-4889 | denise@lemonadepr.com
(Above contact info not for publication)
