by At the 34th Annual Mama’s Day culinary event, the San Diego community came out in full support of Mama’s Kitchen, raising over $170,000 to help give critically sick residents with meals that are medically specialized.
The event, which took place at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, also served as the public debut of Mama’s Kitchen’s new Resiliency Fund, a $1 million initiative aimed at countering significant federal budget cuts that could jeopardize the organization’s ability to provide services.
CEO Eva Matthews remarked, “Every year, we’re overwhelmed by the generosity shown at Mama’s Day.” But with funding cuts that will affect over 40% of the people we assist, this year’s contribution is even more important. The money we raise will enable us to keep helping our clients when they most need us. Additionally, we were pleased to launch the Resiliency Fund, which will assist guarantee that, regardless of any policy changes, no one loses access to the meals they depend on.
What’s at Risk: The Function of the Resiliency Fund
Due to changes included in the federal budget agreement signed on July 4, Mama’s Kitchen just found out that it will lose one of its biggest federal funding sources, resulting in an immediate $200,000 shortfall that will now increase to $350,000 annually. Approximately 42% of the organization’s services are currently funded by Medi-Cal reimbursement programs, which are impacted by these cuts.
To help recoup these lost funds and guarantee that clients who qualify for Medi-Cal continue to receive medically customized meals, the Resiliency Fund was established. Up to 400,000 meals for 1,300 people annually are at jeopardy without it.
These meals are more than just a convenience for many of Mama’s Kitchen’s San Diegan clients who are dealing with life-threatening conditions like cancer, HIV, heart disease, or renal failure. They serve as an essential lifeline. Medically customized meals help patients heal more quickly, manage their diseases more effectively, and remain out of the hospital longer.
The Significance of Medically Tailored Meals
Meals that are specifically created to satisfy the nutritional requirements of people with complicated and chronic conditions are known as medically tailored meals. When combined with conventional treatment, these individualized strategies can improve results and strengthen the immune system.
According to a research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, medically customized meals result in a 70% decrease in ER visits and a 50% decrease in hospital admissions. This could result in a 16% reduction in the total cost of healthcare.
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According to a different analysis conducted by the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, the adoption of medically customized meals for qualified patients across the country may save $13.6 billion in the first year and avoid 1.6 million hospitalizations. Given that 50% of all national healthcare expenditures are for chronically ill patients, this strategy is highly effective for both public health and financial sustainability.
Ways to Assist Mama’s Kitchen
Due to financial cuts, critically ill people who may otherwise go without life-sustaining meals will continue to receive them thanks to the Resiliency Fund. Making a donation to this fund is the most straightforward way to help Mama’s Kitchen.
However, there are further ways to assist:
- 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.
Visit MamasKitchen.org to discover more about Mama’s Kitchen’s impact, volunteer opportunities, and direct donations to the Resiliency Fund.
