Mama's Kitchen Newsletter

Inside this issue

Kitchen Family

Events

Community Support

Planned Giving

Did You Know?

Calendar of Events

August-December

Newsletter Archives

Past Issues

Find us on

Our Mission

At Mama's Kitchen we believe that every person is entitled to the basic necessity of life, nutritious food. As a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization, we prepare and deliver food to men, women and children who are affected by AIDS or cancer.

Wine & Dine at our 17th Annual Wine Tasting

wine tasting

Come celebrate with Mama and enjoy an evening of eclectic wine tastings complemented by a sumptuous selection of hors d'oeuvres at our 17th Annual Wine Tasting on August 16th, at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill.

"Given the continued increased demand for our services, our annual Wine Tasting is an important event for Mama's Kitchen," says Alberto Cortés, Executive Director of Mama's Kitchen. "The proceeds allow us to continue to provide life-sustaining nutrition to our neighbors battling AIDS or cancer. We are grateful to everyone who supports this wonderful event, helping us to provide responsive and meaningful services to our community."

In addition to great wine, food, and company, event highlights include a "Lucky Ticket" Silent Auction featuring gift packages from many of San Diego's fine dining and entertainment venues, as well as Mama's Kitchen's two popular "Deck of Card" drawings. Guests can purchase a playing card for a 1-in-52 chance to take home either a premium wine vault or a wine and spirits vault.

Revivals, located in Hillcrest, will be the presenting sponsor of this year's wine tasting fundraiser. "Short of a cure, I believe we are winning the battle against HIV," said David Brinkman, CEO, Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.). "It's been recently proven that people who begin taking the correct medications soon after being infected with HIV are 96 percent less likely to spread the virus to others. Just as D.A.P. is providing care for those with HIV and working to greatly decrease the spread of the virus in Palm Springs, we so admire the similar work that Mama's Kitchen is doing in the San Diego area."

raising a glass This year's event marks the return of the Wine Bottle Ring Toss, a fun and competitive opportunity to win bottles of wine and prizes. Attendees who bring five items to donate to the Mama's Pantry service will receive three free rings to toss. The items to bring are among the most requested items by pantry clients, and are donations of cereal, PB&J, spaghetti sauce, and canned tuna or salmon.

Pre-sale tickets are available for $60, and tickets sold at the door are $70. Bourbon Street is located at 4612 Park Blvd., San Diego, 92116. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.mamaskitchen.org or call (619) 233-6262.

Revivals is the presenting sponsor of the 17th Annual Wine Tasting event to benefit Mama's Kitchen. Major sponsors include Bourbon Street, Constellation Wines, Diseño, Primal Roots, Fifty-Seven Degrees, Gay & Lesbian Fund for San Diego of the San Diego Foundation, Drs. Jamey Jacquemoud & Timothy Reed of Sorrento Valley Chiropractic, Kevin Soloman Realtor®/The Metropolitan Group, and the Guenzel-Phillips Family Foundation. Food and beverage providers include Small Bar, Jake's on 6th, Decker Brothers Gourmet, Lei Lounge, Muzita Bistro, San Diego Desserts, and R-Gang Eatery. Additional event sponsors include Organic Elements, Co-Habitat, Promos ROK, TK&A Custom Catering, Garret Richardson Photography, Jennifer Dery Photography, SDGLN.com, SDPix, San Diego Uptown News and GAY San Diego.

Letter from the Executive Director

Alberto Cortes

As we approach the first anniversary of residence at our Home Avenue facility, we are thrilled to see the promise of our new home transform into a reality. At this mid-year point we are experiencing an increase in the number of meals that we are delivering - 24,400 more meals than over this period last year. And Mama's Pantry continues to see more clients each month. In June we had 464 visits. This constitutes a record number of visits in the 8-1/2 year history of the Pantry's existence. In this first half of 2012, Mama's Kitchen has provided services to 1,154 individuals in San Diego County, including 78 children. We are on our way to impact a record number of lives this year. This is the ultimate measure of success.

There are many components that are critical to success at Mama's Kitchen. One of these components is our Board of Directors. Though not acknowledged enough for their involvement and dedication to the mission, they merit being put on the proverbial stage for celebration. Under the leadership of people like Ken Villa (Immediate Past President), Todd Gabello (Board President) and Stacey James (Capital Campaign Special Gifts Chair) our board of 17 has been diligently working on strategic planning, the review and approval of our 2011 independent audit, moving our Capital Campaign along, as well as raising funds for the day-to-day operation of Mama's Kitchen.

As an example, Presidential Dining Experience, a fundraising event with the goal of introducing new potential supporters of our mission, was beautifully executed under the leadership of Ken Villa and the active involvement of John Prosen, Jennifer Kearns, and John Pelkey (all past Presidents of the Board), as well many of the current board members.

I feel very lucky to be working with this group of volunteers who are dedicated to leading Mama's Kitchen's organization with care, and in line with our core values. My hat is off to Michael Dodt, Michelle Donovan, Todd Gabello, Cheri Hoolihan, Ellen Immergut, Stacey James, Thomas Kwan, Tim Loomis, Larry Rinehart, Jeff Robers, Ann Marie Towle-Mason, Ken Villa, and Roger Werbeck. Thank you for making Mama's Kitchen a better organization.