“Nourishing the heart, one meal at a time” is the motto of Mama’s Kitchen and has been for the past 20 years. Offering nutritious, healthy meals for those living with HIV/AIDS here in San Diego, Mama’s Kitchen has become an invaluable helping hand to those that need it most. As they approach their 20 year anniversary, Mama’s Kitchen is ready to celebrate and continue their community involvement.

“This is not just about feeding people, this is really about impacting their long-term health and well-being,” stated Alberto Cortes, Executive Director of Mama’s Kitchen.

The 20th year celebration of Mama’s Kitchen will play host to a Great Gatsby-inspired themed brunch as well as the Tony Kopas Tribute Award.

“We’ll be presenting this award to one of our longtime volunteers and supporters…Tony Kopas was one of the early people involved with Mama’s Kitchen who died of AIDS back in 1995 or 96. He was one of the creators of one of our really wonderful fundraising events called Mama’s Day. More than a leader in the organization, Tony inspired people to get involved. He was one of the folks that really brought people into the organization above and beyond the gay community. He was a gay man and he was very committed to the organization,” stated Cortes.

This mid-day event will pay homage to the hard work and dedication of Mama’s staff, board and volunteers. The event will be hosted at the San Diego estate of Jim Urbina & Jeff Johnston in Marston Hills on Sunday, September 12th from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“We’re going to have Jazz music, food from really wonderful places like TK&A Catering and the Marine Room in La Jolla. There’s a number of really wonderful organizations that are donating and preparing a lovely brunch,” state Cortes.

In Great Gatsby fashion, it is encouraged that guests wear a suit and/or that impeccable hat in celebration of Mama’s Kitchen’s 20th anniversary in this themed celebration inspired by the classic novel. Large ties, fitted suits, jacket tails and Kentucky derby-inspired hats will accentuate the atmosphere.

Send Mama’s Kitchen into the next 20 years with roaring excitement. The event will be $250 per ticket with tables seating 10 people.

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 creation, 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 men and women living with HIV/AIDS 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.

“What we noticed was that those living with HIV/AIDS who had children were giving their meals to their children. So we started this program to assist the children of those we serve as well,” stated Cortes.

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.

“It’s usually for people that are healthier who can prepare their own meals so what we do is try to provide is basic staples. Cereals, rice, beans, sources of canned proteins, etc and help them from a financial perspective so that they can help themselves during the course of their month,” said Cortes.

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.

“One of the appealing pieces of expanding our mission is to provide greater opportunity to serve our lesbian sisters who suffer from cancer and to be available to serve other people in our community that deal with health issues beyond just HIV/AIDS,” said Cortes.

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