Pie + Persistence

THE STORY OF PIE + PERSISTENCE

The inspiration for Pie + Persistence began during a November, 2016 house concert performance by Sheryl, leaving a deep seated belief that “living rooms were powerful places,” and the perfect setting for taking action and raising awareness while sharing good food.

Since launching Pie + Persistence in May, 2017 Sheryl has raised over $100,000 in support of more than 30 organizations around the country and internationally, including Ballard Food Bank, Everytown for Gun Safety, Common Cause, Voices of Children, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, Alliance For Gun Responsibility, Natural Resources Defense Council, Migrant Clinicians Network, Black Farmers Collective, African Community Housing & Development, Eat With Muslims, Safe Place Olympia, Second Harvest Food Bank, Washington Farmland Trust, ACLU of Washington, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, Old Dog Haven, Trevor Project, and many more. Performing in living rooms, backyards, barns and other creative spaces, Sheryl is passionate about bringing people together to effect change while enjoying live music.

WHY PIE?

Since 2009, Sheryl has worked closely with farmers and advocates of local food, food access, social and environmental justice in Washington State. Pie, one of the most shareable and delicious foods represents more than just a dessert. Pie + Persistence serves as an economic metaphor and rebuttal to “If you get an allotted slice of pie, what matters is how big your slice is, not who gets the rest of the pie.” To this Sheryl says, "We don’t need smaller slices. We need more pie.” And, to quote David Mamet from his play Boston Marriage - Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.”

WHY PERSISTENCE?

For this house concert series, persistence serves as inspiration for what we can achieve together. And, that we should never, to quote anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Together, we persist in elevating voices, spaces and places that need to be heard and healed with love, grace, common ground and pie.

HOST YOUR OWN

Pie + Persistence house concerts run the gamut from casual to classy. You can host your own, ask others to help co-host, or ask guests to bring food and/or pie to share. Sheryl is available to provide insight from previous concerts and her own event background on how best to host a memorable, effective and stress-free gathering.

How are organizations selected? Each year, Sheryl puts together a curated list of recipient organizations she’s interested in supporting, although hosts are also welcome to choose a recipient. In 2024, Pie + Persistence has supported Ballard Food Bank, UNWRA and Friends of Noise.

How do organizations receive funds? In the beginning, it was tip jars and checks but things have changed. For 2024, hosts worked with recipient organizations to create individual online donation pages. However, there are multiple ways for guests to donate to any chosen organization. Sheryl works with designated hosts to design the most effective platform for each show.

Questions? Email sherylwiser@sherylwiser.com