San Diego – July 6, 2017 – Mama’s Kitchen was recently honored as a “Nonprofit of the Year” at a celebration for California Nonprofits Day at the state capitol in Sacramento on June 28, 2017. The San Diego-based nonprofit was honored for their commitment to preparing and delivering three nutrition-specific meals a day, every day of the year, free of charge, to men, women and children affected by AIDS or cancer throughout San Diego County.

Selected by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) as an exceptional nonprofit organization in San Diego for the 40th Senate District and the 80th Assembly District, Mama’s Kitchen joined nearly 100 other nonprofit leaders from across the state being honored at the California Nonprofits Day event. The annual day was formally recognized by Assembly Concurrent Resolution 54 and authored by the chair of the new Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector, Assemblywoman Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara).

During the past 27 years, the organization has served more than eight million meals and has never turned away a client who qualified for services. In fiscal year 2016 (ending June 30, 2016), the organization delivered 279,351 meals to 460 San Diegans affected by HIV/AIDS, and 68,907 meals to 170 San Diegans affected by cancer, including 45,939 meals to 104 children whose parents were affected by HIV/AIDS or cancer.

“We are truly honored and humbled to be recognized by Senator Hueso and Assemblymember Gonzalez Fletcher, as well as CalNonprofits, for the vital work we are doing in the San Diego community,” said Alberto Cortés, executive director, Mama’s Kitchen. “Each and every single day, the dedication of the Mama’s Kitchen staff and volunteers, as well as the generosity of our supporters, helps nourish our neighbors in need.”

Mama’s Kitchen was honored alongside the other award recipients at a luncheon at Sacramento’s Convention Center with welcoming remarks from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblymember Limon and Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).

“Nonprofit organizations are vitally important to the economy and well-being of California. But too often nonprofits are ‘hidden in plain sight.’ We are thrilled that the State Assembly has passed a resolution for the second year in a row that puts the spotlight on nonprofits as an economic power that uses that power for the common good. We congratulate all of the award recipients on being honored for the great work they do every day to make California a better place,” said Masaoka, CEO of California Association of Nonprofits, a statewide alliance of over 10,000 organizations, representing and promoting California’s growing nonprofit sector and working to bring the full power of nonprofits to strengthening communities.

About Mama’s Kitchen
Mama’s Kitchen was founded in 1990 when volunteers from the AIDS Assistance Fund 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, life-sustaining food. In 2004, Mama’s Pantry was opened to provide individuals with HIV/AIDS who are able to prepare meals the opportunity to supplement their nutritional needs. During the past 27 years, Mama’s Kitchen has served over eight million meals and has never turned away a client who qualified for our services. Our commitment to our clients remains unchanged and in May 2017 Mama’s Kitchen expanded its mission to eventually serve San Diegans affected by AIDS, cancer or other critical illnesses. Mama’s Kitchen currently provides home-delivered meals, pantry services and nutrition education services to over 1,100 men, women and children in San Diego County annually. Learn more and make a donation at www.mamaskitchen.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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