The grassroots nonprofit is now tackling senior hunger
By Kara Pound @oldcitypr
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Florida (July 12, 2019) – Local nonprofit organization, Pie in the Sky Community Alliance, INC., will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary this 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. Over 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,” explained Malea Guiriba, founder and executive director. “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 heartthrough 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 has already delivered 38,279 pounds of purchased fresh produce and 12,089 pounds of donated food this year. One hundred volunteers have 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: 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.
SAVE THE DATE: Pie in the Sky will host their Peace in the Park event on International Day of Peace, Saturday, September 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Eddie Vickers Park, 399 Riberia Street, St. Augustine. This event is free and open to the public. Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation.
ABOUT: Pie in the Sky is located at 134 Riberia Street, Unit 4, St. Augustine. Learn more at pieintheskystjohns.org. Donations are accepted online at pieintheskystjohns.org/donate. Follow on Facebook @pyinthesky and Instagram @pieintheskystjohns and join their newsletter by emailing pieintheskynewsletter@gmail.com
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