San Diegans raised over $170,000 at the 34th Annual Mama’s Day to support medically tailored meals for critically ill residents. (Photo courtesy of Mama’s Kitchen)

The San Diego community turned out in full force to support Mama’s Kitchen at the 34th Annual Mama’s Day culinary event, raising more than $170,000 to help provide medically tailored meals to critically ill residents.

Held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, the evening also marked the public launch of Mama’s Kitchen’s new Resiliency Fund, a $1 million campaign designed to offset major federal funding cuts that threaten the organization’s services.

“Every year, we’re overwhelmed by the generosity shown at Mama’s Day,” said CEO Eva Matthews. “But this year’s support means even more as we face funding losses that will impact nearly 40% of the people we serve. The funds raised will help us continue to show up for our clients when they need us most. We were also proud to introduce the Resiliency Fund, which will help ensure that no one loses access to the meals they rely on—no matter what policy changes come our way.”

What’s at Stake: The Resiliency Fund in Action

Mama’s Kitchen recently learned it will lose one of its largest federal funding sources—an immediate $200,000 shortfall, which will now climb to $350,000 annually due to cuts included in the federal budget bill signed on July 4. These cuts impact Medi-Cal reimbursement programs that currently fund about 42% of the organization’s services.

The Resiliency Fund was created to help recover these lost dollars and ensure the continued delivery of medically tailored meals to clients who qualify through Medi-Cal. Without it, up to 400,000 meals for 1,300 people each year are at risk.

For many of Mama’s Kitchen’s clients—San Diegans living with serious illnesses like cancer, HIV, heart disease, or kidney failure—these meals are more than a convenience. They are a critical lifeline. Medically tailored meals help clients better manage their conditions, recover faster, and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

Why Medically Tailored Meals Matter

Medically tailored meals are designed specifically to meet the nutritional needs of individuals with chronic and complex illnesses. These customized plans help boost immune response and improve outcomes when paired with traditional treatment.

A Journal of the American Medical Association study showed that medically tailored meals lead to a 50% reduction in hospital admissions and a 70% drop in emergency room visits. That translates into a potential 16% cut in overall healthcare costs.

A separate analysis by the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy estimated that nationwide use of medically tailored meals for eligible patients could prevent 1.6 million hospitalizations and save $13.6 billion in just the first year. Chronically ill patients account for half of all national healthcare spending, making this approach a powerful tool for both public health and fiscal sustainability.

How to Help Mama’s Kitchen

The Resiliency Fund will be used to continue delivering life-sustaining meals to critically ill individuals who might otherwise go without due to budget cuts. The most direct way to support Mama’s Kitchen is by contributing to this fund.

But there are other ways to help:

  • Volunteer in the kitchen, at the front desk, or on delivery routes.
  • Fundraise with your community or workplace.
  • Spread the word about the importance of medically tailored meals.

To donate directly to the Resiliency Fund, sign up as a volunteer, or learn more about Mama’s Kitchen’s impact, visit MamasKitchen.org.