FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**Sycuan returns for twelfth year,  joins bakers such as Behind the Scenes Catering and Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.; Sales begin October 10, 2016**

San Diego – Sept. 26, 2016 – Wells Fargo, Walmart, The Original Pancake House of Poway & Temecula, and Sycuan Casino are just a few of the local companies that have pledged their resources a successful upcoming Mama’s Pie in the Sky Thanksgiving Bake Sale. The fundraiser in its twelfth year benefits Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritional support at no cost to San Diego men, women and children affected by AIDS or cancer who are vulnerable to hunger. Sales begin October 10 and continue through November 20, 2016. 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.

All proceeds from pie sales go directly into funding thousands of free, hot and nutritious Mama’s Kitchen meals, which help ensure no one living with AIDS or cancer will go hungry in the San Diego community. Many of San Diego’s top pastry chefs, caterers and bakeries donate traditional Thanksgiving pies for this annual Mama’s Pie in the Sky Bake Sale. Volunteers will deliver the pies to 21 sites throughout San Diego County for pickup Wed., November 23.

“The holidays are a perfect time for showing love and support to those among us who are in need. Each pie purchased provides over seven nutritious home-delivered meals to someone battling cancer or AIDS who might otherwise go hungry,” said Alberto Cortés, executive director, Mama’s Kitchen. “And the buyer not only makes a positive impact in the lives of others, but they get a delicious pie as well.”

So far, 28 bakers from throughout San Diego County have come forward to donate pies to the effort. These include:

Andaz San Diego (Downtown)
Art Institute Culinary Club
Authentic Flavors Fine Catering & Events (Mira Mesa)
Barona Resort & Casino (Lakeside)
Behind the Scenes Catering & Events (Miramar)
Bear Buns Bakery (Serra Mesa)
Brothers Signature Catering and Events (Downtown)
Centerplate (San Diego)
Grand Hyatt San Diego (Downtown)
Handlery Hotel (Mission Valley)
Hyatt Regency La Jolla
Jenny Wenny Cakes (Carmel Mountain Ranch)
Just Call Us Catering (Clairemont)
Kaiser Permanente (San Diego)
Loews Coronado Bay Resort (Coronado)
NINE-TEN Restaurant and Bar (La Jolla)
Mook & Pop’s (Scripps Ranch)
San Diego Culinary Institute (La Mesa)
Sbicca (Del Mar)
Solace & the Moonlight Lounge (Encinitas)
Soleil @k (Downtown)
Stone Brewing Company (Escondido)
Sweet Cheeks Baking Company (Mission Valley)
Sycuan Casino (East County San Diego)
The French Gourmet (Pacific Beach)
The Wild Thyme Company (Miramar)
Twiggs Bakery (Normal Heights)
Urban Solace (North Park)

In 2015, Mama’s Kitchen raised over $91,000, the non-profit hopes to raise $100,000 in 2016 to fund more than 32,000 meals. Additional pie bakers are needed to help with the effort. 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, as all sales funnel through their sales website. For information on this year’s sales effort and to learn how to volunteer, 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/AIDS who are able to prepare meals the opportunity to supplement their nutritional needs. During the past 25 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 today the organization has expanded its service to San Diegans affected by either AIDS or cancer. Mama’s Kitchen also offers a Nutrition Education Service, led by a registered dietitian, which provides nutrition coaching to HIV-positive residents to assist them in managing their diagnosis through proper nutrition, and medical nutrition therapy. Mama’s Kitchen provides three meals a day, for every day of the year, free of charge, to approximately 350 men, women, and children in San Diego County each week. Learn more and make a donation at www.mamaskitchen.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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