Mama’s Day 2009 will feature top chefs from 65 San Diego restaurants and resorts who will showcase their dishes at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine on May 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Due to the economic downturn, Mama’s Kitchen is experiencing difficulty providing services to the community. Alberto Cortes, executive director for Mama’s Kitchen, anticipates the near future will be challenging.

“We are reducing costs, restructuring the organization, and implementing marketing efforts that will inspire greater community support,” he said.

In 2008, Mama’s Kitchen provided 332,500 meals and delivered 1,700 grocery bags to homes. Mama’s Pantry, where clients who do not need meal deliveries can select items such as cereals, pastas, and canned goods, had 4,300 visits.

Volunteers make significant donations to the organization as well. In 2008, volunteers donated 30,200 hours with a value of $659,884, drove 172,104 miles and collected $33,500 in food drives.

In spite of the deficit, Mama’s Kitchen continues to serve those who qualify for services and has decided to attempt to eliminate its $230,000 deficit by the end of the year.

“We have restructured the organization by, among other things, reducing the workforce, implementing salary reductions and increasing our [requests] for donated services,” Cortes continued. “We, the board and staff, are intent on reinventing ourselves within this economic reality, such that we may continue responding to the nutritional needs of the critically ill men, women and children that depend on Mama’s Kitchen.”

The Annual Mama’s Day fund-raiser is a major source of funding for the organization. Cortes explained food drives are bringing in less food for Mama’s Pantry.

The theme for the event is “Taste the Joy of Caring,” and is in recognition of the restaurants and guests that help Mama’s Kitchen.

“When I think of people helping people in San Diego, I think of Mama’s Kitchen,” Sam Zien, of the popular San Diego TV show, “Just Cook This! with Sam the Cooking Guy” said. Zien, this year’s culinary host of the fund-raiser, said he’s excited to sample from so many restaurants and see local chefs’ skill and talent. “They’ve been delivering meals for free for almost 20 years. How do you not get involved with a place like that?”

“Top Chef” contestants Brian Malarkey of Oceanaire and Richard Sweeney of Confidential will also serve dishes, while Vic Salazar, broadcaster with KNSD and communications professional, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Scott Gardner, chair of Mama’s Day, will take the position of president of the board of directors next year.

“It’s the ideal Mother’s Day event,” Gardner said. “The diversity of the food and restaurants is enormous. It’s always a surprise.”

Gardner added he finds volunteering rewarding. “You see the food go out three times a day, seven days a week.”

Mama’s Kitchen is the only nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers three free meals a day for people with illnesses such as AIDS, cancer and diabetes.

“The goal is to sustain our ability to continue to provide consistent, high-quality nutritional services. Though the stock market and real estate have lost significant monetary value and made a tremendous impact on our community, the things that really matter have not lost their value: love, compassion and generosity. This is clearly evidenced by the unwavering support for our mission of the restaurants and sponsor organizations participating in Mama’s Day 2009. We are grateful.”

The dishes that will be prepared for Mama’s Day are usually a surprise until served.

“It promises not to be dull,” Cortes added.

To help raise funds, Mama’s Kitchen plans a wine-tasting event in August and the Annual Mama’s “Pie in the Sky” pie sale at Thanksgiving.

The list of culinary support grows every year as Mama’s Day becomes more popular. Participating restaurants include The Marine Room, Piatti, The Tractor Room, Whisknladle, Urban Solace, Vagabond, Jake’s Del Mar, Adobe El, JRDN and El Bizcocho.

Sponsors include Sycuan Resort & Casino, Nordstrom, Union Bank, Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, Swank Audio Visuals, TK & A Custom Catering, Issa Family Foundation, Pepsi Bottling Company and the Bowden Family Foundation.

Tickets range from $125 each for general admission to $250 each for VIP Admission. 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 a home-meal delivery service was needed to ensure these individuals would continue to receive nutritious food. In 2006, Mama’s Kitchen expanded its mission to include delivery of meals to people with cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Mama’s Kitchen provides three meals a day, every day of the week, to more than 300 men, women, and children affected by AIDS or other critical illnesses in San Diego County. For more information, visit www.mamaskitchen.org.