Malea Guiriba's St. Augustine-based nonprofit, Pie in the Sky, now delivers fresh produce to 965 low-income seniors across St. Johns County, up from 12 seniors when the program launched in March 2016.

In the past year, the organization's more than 330 volunteers delivered more than 72 tons of produce, according to the Ponte Vedra Recorder. The nonprofit operates without state or federal tax dollars, relying on donations, grants and community support. Its 96 delivery routes reach every part of the county, including the Ponte Vedra Beach area.

It costs about $900 to serve one senior for a year, putting the organization's annual budget at more than $860,000.

From a front yard to 96 routes

The program started small. In March 2016, four people gathered in Guiriba's front yard, divided 122 pounds of produce and drove it to a dozen seniors. Today, volunteers pack bags assembly-line style at a warehouse on Riberia Street in St. Augustine, then fan out across those 96 routes covering every corner of the county.

Each bag holds 10 to 12 items. Tomatoes and bananas are always included. Seasonal produce such as cabbage, corn, carrots, sweet potatoes, onions and bell peppers rotates in. A sponsor provides a dozen eggs with every delivery, and the nonprofit usually receives free short-dated bread and pastries.

Why the nonprofit turns down government funding

Guiriba, the founder and executive director, deliberately turns down government funding so no senior is excluded by federal eligibility rules. There are no lengthy applications. Once a senior answers basic intake questions, food arrives within 24 to 48 hours, according to the St. Augustine Record.

Routes are designed so volunteers have time to visit with each senior, not just leave a bag at the door.

"They often say that the food is nice, but the visits are even nicer," Guiriba told the Recorder.

A mission rooted in family hardship

Guiriba's parents shaped the mission. In 1999, her father had a stroke and entered assisted living. Her mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer and moved in with Guiriba during chemotherapy. The couple had saved for 60 years but were burning through their money fast.

"Had my daddy lived, they would have gone through 60 years' worth of savings in under a year and been penniless," Guiriba told the Recorder. "That stuck with me."

Before launching the senior produce program, Guiriba volunteered with Quigley House in Clay County and started a rural program for Betty Griffin House, now the Betty Griffin Center, in Hastings. She and friends also ran a twice-weekly food pantry and converted a former water-delivery truck into a mobile farmers market to reach food deserts.

The organization's name came from a friend at Johnny's Café in Hastings, who said Guiriba had "pie-in-the-sky ideas about how to help people." Her first fundraiser, selling pie slices for $2 each at the café, raised $2,000.

Volunteers and staff have been known to spend their own money at the supermarket when the warehouse runs low, so no senior misses a delivery.

Residents who want to donate, volunteer or learn more can visit pieintheskystjohns.org or call 904-382-9939.