Mama’s Kitchen has become something of a staple in San Diego with their mission of “nourishing the heart, one meal at a time.” This non-profit organization has been serving the community for 20 years, literally. Serving nutritional meals to those living with HIV/AIDS.

To help continue its much appreciated and desperately needed services, the Board of Directors invites the community to its 15th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser to benefit Mama’s Kitchen. The event will be held today, July 29th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bourbon Street located at 4612 Park Boulevard. Celebrating 20 years of community service, Mama’s Kitchen’s Wine Tasting Fundraiser will feature wine tasting throughout the evening, a “Lucky Ticket” silent auction which will feature gift packages from some of San Diego’s premier dining and entertainment venues and hors d’oeuvres along with Mama’s popular “Wine Deck” drawing in which people buy a card for a 1-in-52 chance to take home 25 bottles of premium wine. Tickets were $55 in advance and are $65 at the door.

“Celebrating our 15th year of the Wine Tasting event, we acknowledge the support from our sponsors, including Bourbon Street for donating their facilities,” says Alberto Cortés, Executive Director of Mama’s Kitchen. “We invite you to come out and support Mama’s Kitchen’s in addressing the nutritional needs San Diegans who are otherwise vulnerable to hunger. We promise great wine and food for a wonderful cause.”

Food and beverage providers include, HRM Rex-Goliath Wines, Southern Wine and Spirits. Sycuan Casino, Jake’s on Sixth, Lei Lounge and Decker Brothers Gourmet. Others include Muzita Bistro, Soltan Banoo Restaurant, Pizza Gourmet Express and Small Bar. Additional event sponsors include Priority, a MOMS Pharmacy, James Ziegler Advised Fund at the San Diego Foundation, Mobile Medics, Promos ROK Solid, Jeffery Simon & Michael Crawford, Susan Guenzel, Michael Abdou Farmers Insurance, the Gay & Lesbian Times and RAGE.

Mama’s Kitchen was started in 1990 when volunteers from the AIDS Assistance Fund found that malnutrition was playing a crucial factor in AIDS related deaths. Mama’s Kitchen was established to support those that were too ill, low-income or emotionally devastated by the virus. Since its establishment, Mama’s Kitchen has been preparing and hand delivering three meals a day, everyday to those living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego. This includes men, women and children.

Mama’s Kitchen has continued to expand and cater their services to the needs of those they serve. After seeing that many HIV/AIDS afflicted men and women were sharing their meals with their children, the organization established the Children’s Nutritional Health Program which allowed parents and children alike to receive nutritional, cooked meals without leaving anyone underfed or without food.

Since then, through the hard work and support from its founders, supporters, volunteers and sponsors, Mama’s Pantry was established in February of 2004. This service benefits those that may not necessarily need a home delivery service, but a monthly bag of groceries. This allowed many to continue to eat healthy and to help stretch their dollar in regards to groceries. Anybody who qualifies is able to visit Mama’s Pantry and select from a variety of non-perishable items.

Two years later, in 2006, Mama’s Kitchen expanded to allow other people with varying critical illnesses to benefit from their services. The Critical Illness Program, Mama’s home-delivery services to not only those with HIV/AIDS, but to those living with cancer as well.

For more information or to donate or volunteer at Mama’s Kitchen, visit www.mamaskitchen.org.