SAN DIEGO — A huge milestone for Mama's Kitchen. The non-profit served its 12 millionth meal Thursday with the help of Councilmember Stephen Whitburn.
Jerry Okey, who is living with cancer, received the special meal. He's been getting meals the past few years from Mama's Kitchen. He said Mama's Kitchen's meals are delicious, balanced and palatable.
For nearly 34 years, Mama's Kitchen has served breakfast, lunch and dinner at no cost to people with critical illnesses such as HIV, cancer, kidney disease and diabetes.
"We have become the largest provider of home delivered meals in San Diego County, and the only provider of medically tailored meals, all scratch-made right here at Mama's kitchen," Mama's Kitchen CEO Eva Matthews said.
The organization is on track to deliver 900,000 meals this year alone. That's thanks to volunteers, staff and donors working to make a difference in San Diego.
"It means the world to us to be a part of a community like San Diego that cares so much for our neighbors with critical illness," Matthews said.
Okey said its not just the food making a difference, its the people.
“I look forward to the staff, the smile, the joy and much more than the meal that is being presented," Okey said. "You know by the presentation and the love and the love of presenting the food, the joy of meeting everybody.”
And once he's feeling better Okey said he'll be volunteering.
"I look forward to volunteer, you know, and sign me up, you know, like to volunteer for Mama's kitchen," Okey said.
You can find more information on how to donate, volunteer or get services here.
"I'm saying it's not just giving the food, but the touch, you know, of meeting someone," Okey said. "It's like giving a life to somebody. I'm saying I mean and so that's how I feel. And I'm so grateful every single time."
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