Judy Balunda, the owner of JudyPie in Grapevine, has leveraged her bakery to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives since opening in 2016. With a mission that goes beyond baking, Balunda aims to provide support to individuals battling mental illness in her community.
Balunda, a cancer survivor and a long-time mental health advocate, has turned her passion for baking into a platform for public service. Each customer at her shop is encouraged to donate to My Health My Resources of Tarrant County (MHMR), a nonprofit organization that offers mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The quaint shop, recognized as the fifth-best pie shop in the country in 2024, serves as a hub for community engagement and support.
Visitors to JudyPie find notecards and pens on each table, inviting them to write encouraging messages for those facing mental health challenges. Balunda personally distributes these notes, along with essential items like hygiene products, to homeless individuals at MHMR’s community center in Fort Worth. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed; she has been recognized in the 52 Faces of Community series by the Fort Worth Report, which highlights unsung heroes making a difference in their communities.
The nomination for this recognition came from Catherine Carlton, MHMR’s chief of staff, who praised Balunda for her unwavering dedication to mental health advocacy. “Judy’s visits, complete with pies and handwritten notes of encouragement, help foster joy and reduce isolation among participants,” Carlton stated.
Balunda’s commitment to mental health advocacy is deeply personal. She has faced her own struggles with depression, which has fueled her desire to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness. “People here have mental health struggles, too,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for awareness and compassion in her community.
Before opening JudyPie, Balunda spent nearly 30 years as a special education teacher. Initially, running the bakery was a constant challenge, but as word spread, the shop gained popularity and her team expanded. The menu reflects her love for baking, featuring a variety of fresh fruit and cream pies, as well as cakes, gluten-free, keto, vegan, and dog-friendly options.
Balunda recalls the joy of her childhood Sundays, when her mother would bake pies, often serving as inspiration for her own recipes. The menu has evolved over the years, with Balunda introducing new flavors based on customer requests. One of her most popular offerings, strawberry rhubarb pie, has moved many to tears, reminding them of their own cherished family recipes.
Looking ahead, Balunda dreams of opening a community center in Grapevine dedicated to mental health support. She believes that such a facility could provide vital resources and foster a sense of community among those struggling with mental health issues. “A new community center would connect people so that they realize they’re not alone in their struggles,” she explained.
Through her handwritten notes, gift bags, and nostalgic pies, Balunda strives to convey a simple yet powerful message: no one should feel isolated in their mental health journey. Her work continues to inspire others and raises critical awareness about the importance of mental health resources in Tarrant County.
Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. He can be contacted at [email protected] or followed on social media at @shawlings601. The Fort Worth Report operates independently of its board members and financial supporters, ensuring editorial integrity.
