While nonprofits are struggling nationwide, some are cooking up new ways to raise much-needed funds and getting creative in delivering services.

Locally, the fourth annual Mama’s Pie in the Sky fund-raising initiative to raise funds for Mama’s Kitchen had a record year in 2008, while they’ve reduced the cost of delivering services.

Results released this week showed more than 3,600 pies were sold in nine weeks – which is a 23 percent increase over 2007.

“This is truly a little campaign that could,” said Denise Scatena, of Lemonade Public Relations, the firm which helped to market the Mama’s Pie in the Sky bake sale.

“It is grassroots and relies on the generosity of thousands of people in the community,” Scatena said, acknowledging this is a “tumultuous economic time” for everybody. However, in nine weeks the organization mobilized hundreds of volunteers to bake, sell and distribute more than 3,600 handcrafted holiday pies in time for Thanksgiving celebrations. Each pie sold for $20 helping to raise critical funds for the local social services agency. Total income from the fund-raising effort, combining pie sales, sponsorship and additional financial donations, grossed more than $100,000, allowing the agency to achieve its goal, and raising the much needed funds to continue meal delivery for San Diegans that are critically ill.

This summer’s dramatic increase in fuel prices, the continuing rise in the cost of food, and this fall’s national financial crisis posed an enormous fund-raising challenge for the organization. The agency has seen a startling decrease in donations across the board this year, and rallied its volunteers and Board of Directors to focus sales efforts in a strategic and dedicated manner. “The support of the community in times like these is more critical than ever,” said, Alberto Cortes, executive director, Mama’s Kitchen. “We are so grateful for all who purchased pies and sponsored the effort. The proceeds make an incredible difference in the lives of the critically ill who live throughout San Diego County.”

Mama’s Kitchen remains committed to providing home-delivered meals to people suffering with HIV/AIDS or other critical illnesses in San Diego County. Escalating gas prices, however, have greatly impacted the organization’s effort by creating challenges in the recruitment of delivery volunteer drivers. Last year, more than 150,000 miles were traveled to deliver meals.

“In response to this challenge, for the first time in our 18-year history, we modified our delivery process in July,” Cortes said. .

Instead of five deliveries per week, volunteers are now making three deliveries per week, thereby reducing the amount of driving by 40 percent. The organizations has continued to meet the nutritional needs and provide for 100 percent of its clients with three nutritional meals a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

“This service is simply achieved with fewer deliveries which will reduce the number of volunteer drivers needed and result in the environmental benefit of reduced gas emissions,” Cortes said.