San Diego County CA— Many of San Diego’s top pastry chefs, caterers and bakeries will donate hundreds of traditional Thanksgiving pies for the 2017 Mama’s Pie in the Sky Thanksgiving Bake Sale. The fundraiser, now in its 13th year, benefits Mama’s Kitchen, a community-driven organization that provides nutrition services improving the lives of women, men and children vulnerable to hunger due to HIV, cancer or other critical illnesses. In 2016, the fundraiser was the biggest and most successful to date, netting more than $116,500 through pie sales and event sponsorships for the organization. This year, the non-profit hopes to surpass that goal raising $134,000 to fund more than 37,000 meals.
Sales begin Oct. 9 and continue through Nov. 19, 2017. Pie flavors are pumpkin, traditional apple, pecan and Dutch apple, and are available for just $25 each. Pies can be purchased online via www.mamaspies.org or by calling 619-233-6262.
“Mama’s Pie in the Sky has become a local tradition many San Diegans look forward to as they give thanks over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Alberto Cortés, executive director, Mama’s Kitchen. “The price of just one delicious $25 pie allows us to serve eight nutritious meals to our neighbors affected by HIV, cancer or other critical illnesses.”
All proceeds from pie sales go directly to funding thousands of free, hot and nutritious Mama’s Kitchen meals, which help ensure no one living with HIV, cancer or other critical illnesses will go hungry in the San Diego community. Additional financial and in-kind support is provided by Sycuan, Wells Fargo, Jerome’s Furniture, Original Pancake House of Poway & Temecula and Bergelectric, while CBS Radio’s KYXY 96.5 and Energy 103.7 are the event’s media partner.
Volunteers will deliver the pies to 21 sites throughout San Diego County for pickup Wednesday, Nov. 22. On average, more than 30 bakers throughout San Diego County donate their time and resources to provide pies for Mama’s Pie in the Sky.
To date, 25 bakers have been confirmed – see full list below. Additional pie bakers are needed to help with the effort. Those interested in participating should contact Ben Coyle at 619-233-6262 ext. 112 or ben@mamaskitchen.org.
- Andaz San Diego (Downtown)
- Barona Resort & Casino (Lakeside)
- Bear Buns Bakery and Café (Serra Mesa)
- Behind The Scenes Catering & Events (Mira Mesa)
- Brothers Signature Catering & Events (Mira Mesa)
- The French Gourmet (Pacific Beach)
- Handlery Hotel (Mission Valley)
- Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine (La Jolla)
- Jenny Wenny Cakes (Carmel Mountain Ranch)
- Just Call Us Volunteers (Clairemont)
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (San Diego)
- Kitchens for Good (Lincoln Park)
- Loews Coronado Bay Resort (Coronado)
- Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Downtown)
- Mook & Pop’s Culinary Delights (Scripps Ranch)
- Nine-Ten Restaurant (La Jolla)
- San Diego Cake Club (Clairemont)
- San Diego Convention Center (Downtown)
- Soleil@K (Downtown)
- Starry Lane Bakery (Hillcrest)*
- Stone Brewing (Escondido)
- Sycuan Casino (East County San Diego)
- Town and Country San Diego (Mission Valley)*
- Twiggs Bakery (Normal Heights)
- The Wild Thyme Company (Miramar)
NOTE: * denotes new baker to campaign
Individuals and teams are encouraged to volunteer to sell pies for a chance to win prizes from generous sponsors. Pie sellers are also encouraged to use their social media networks to promote their participation in Mama’s Pie in the Sky. For information on this year’s fundraising efforts or details on how to get involved, visit www.mamaspies.org or call 619-233-6262.
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 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 serve San Diegans affected by HIV, cancer or other critical illnesses. Mama’s Kitchen currently provides delivered meals, pantry services and nutrition education services to over 1,200 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.