Grapevine Baker Judy Balunda Champions Mental Health Awareness

Judy Balunda, the owner of **JudyPie** in Grapevine, Texas, has turned her pie shop into a platform for raising awareness and funds for mental health issues. Since opening her business in **2016**, Balunda has leveraged her culinary skills not only to create delicious pies but also to support those grappling with mental health challenges.

Balunda, a **73-year-old** cancer survivor, emphasizes that her true passion lies in helping others rather than just baking. Her shop, which was ranked as the fifth-best pie shop in the United States in **2024**, serves as a gathering place where customers are encouraged to contribute to **My Health My Resources of Tarrant County** (MHMR). This nonprofit organization offers critical mental health and substance abuse services, along with support for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

At JudyPie, visitors find notecards and pens on each table, inviting them to write messages of encouragement for individuals facing mental health crises. Balunda collects these notes, distributing them to homeless individuals at MHMR’s community center in Fort Worth, along with essential hygiene items.

Recognized for her efforts in the **52 Faces of Community** series by the **Fort Worth Report**, Balunda has gained praise for her resilience and commitment to mental health advocacy. **Catherine Carlton**, chief of staff at MHMR, nominated Balunda, highlighting how her visits—complete with pies and handwritten notes—help foster joy and alleviate feelings of isolation.

Balunda’s advocacy is deeply personal, stemming from her own struggle with depression over many years. She is acutely aware of the stigma surrounding mental illness and actively works to combat it through her outreach efforts. “People here have mental health struggles, too,” Balunda notes, referring to the community’s need for more comprehensive mental health support.

After nearly three decades as a special education teacher, Balunda opened JudyPie, initially viewing it as a venture to keep herself busy. The shop quickly gained popularity, allowing her to expand her team of bakers and offerings. Today, JudyPie features an array of pies, including fresh fruit and cream variations, meat pot pies, and options catering to dietary needs.

Balunda fondly recalls the influence of her mother’s Sunday pies, which served as the inspiration for many recipes in her shop. She continues to evolve her menu based on customer requests, incorporating flavors that evoke nostalgia. “I’ve seen grown men cry when they try [the strawberry rhubarb pie] because it reminds them of what their grandma would make,” she shares.

Beyond her work at JudyPie, Balunda dreams of establishing a community center in Grapevine to address the local mental health needs. She believes that such a center would provide a vital space for individuals to connect and share their experiences, helping to reinforce the message that no one is alone in their struggles.

As the year progresses, Balunda’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and support for mental health in Tarrant County continue to resonate within the community. Her blend of compassion, creativity, and culinary skills exemplifies how one individual can make a significant impact through a small business.

Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the **Fort Worth Report**. For further information, contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @shawlings601. The Fort Worth Report operates independently from its board members and financial supporters, upholding a commitment to editorial independence.