Mama’s Pies: Giving back to San Diego this Thanksgiving

The annual tradition is back.

Pumpkin pie. Photo via Pexels

Pumpkin pie. Photo via Pexels

This year marks the 18th anniversary of Mama’s Pies — which, over the years, has become San Diego’s biggest bake sale. Each Thanksgiving, Mama’s Kitchen organizes this unique event to help all San Diegans have a meal.

Volunteers showing off some Mama's Pies

Some of the individuals helping to bake the pies | Photo via Mama’s Kitchen

Mama’s Kitchen has been delivering meals to those in need since 1990. The organization provides food support for those individuals + families impacted by chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease. Plus, it’s San Diego’s only free, countywide meal delivery service.

Your Thanksgiving feast won’t be complete without a piece of pie (or two — or three) at the end. Pie might not be the healthiest dish, but Mama’s Kitchen is baking a pie you can feel good about. For $30, you will put a dessert on your table and allow Mama’s Kitchen to prepare 12 meals for those in need. Pro tip: The pies are super popular, so prepare to order well in advance, but remember — Sat., Nov. 19, is the last day to order (or, until supplies run out).

Mama's Pies, stacked and ready for delivery

Boxings the pies in 2020 and getting them ready to go | Photo via Mama’s Kitchen

Mama’s Kitchen can only sell their pies thanks to the support of local hotels + bakeries. The bake sale is a community effort, but, last year, it allowed the organization to raise nearly $120,000 + deliver its 10 millionth meal.

So, there’s only one question left to ask: apple, pumpkin, pecan, or Dutch apple?

SDtoday editor Monica is a fan of apple, and editor Michael loves all pies — but pumpkin is always his answer. But even if you don’t buy a pie, you can always donate.