Local nonprofit organization, Pie in the Sky Community Alliance Inc., celebrated its 10th anniversary in August. The organization’s mission is to connect seniors with resources and facilitate long-term solutions that affect the lives of the elderly, the poor, the historically underserved and the disenfranchised people of our community. During the last 10 years, Pie in the Sky has helped thousands of people throughout St. Johns County.
“When I started Pie in the Sky back in August of 2009, we were intent on ‘filling the cracks’ in services. Now, we have made fighting senior hunger our primary goal because no bigger abyss exists in our community,” Malea Guiriba, founder and executive director said. “There are more than 6,000 seniors in our community who worry about where their next meal is coming from. It’s not about dropping the veggies off on the doorstep. It’s about filling the hunger of the heart through building relationships and letting them know that someone cares about them.”
Currently, Pie in the Sky is feeding 465 seniors every month. Every two weeks, seniors receive purchased fresh produce and donated goods from KeHe and Waste Not Want Not. As of June 2019, Pie had delivered 38,279 pounds of purchased fresh produce and 12,089 pounds of donated food. One hundred volunteers worked 2,276 hours and driven 9,957 miles for deliveries. It only costs Pie in the Sky $262.50 to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to sponsor a senior for one year.
Volunteer opportunities include bagging fresh produce and other grocery items, helping organize the warehouse, and delivering to seniors on the route. Call (904) 382-9939 to learn more.
Pie in the Sky will host the Peace in the Park event on International Day of Peace from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Eddie Vickers Park, 399 Riberia Street in St. Augustine. This event is free and open to the public. Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation.
Pie in the Sky is located at 134 Riberia Street, Unit 4 in St. Augustine. For more information, visit pieintheskystjohns.org. Donations are accepted online at pieintheskystjohns.org/donate. Follow on Facebook @pyinthesky and Instagram @pieintheskystjohns and join the newsletter by emailing pieintheskynewsletter@gmail.com.
