What is the Slice of Pie Community?
The Slice of Pie Community is a community fund built in memory of Ryan “Pie” Andersen — a musician, a producer, a connector, and one of Barrie’s most beloved people.
Ryan understood something most people take a lifetime to learn: that the way you make people feel is the only thing that really matters. He built the Songwriter Series and co-founded the Troubadour Festival not for recognition, but because he loved music and he loved people, and he wanted to give both a room to breathe.
When Ryan passed away in 2026, the people who loved him asked the same question: what would he have wanted?
The answer was obvious. Keep the music going. Look out for the ones who are struggling. Make people feel less alone.
Our Mission.
The Slice of Pie Community supports musicians of any age who are navigating a mental health challenge — providing grants that help them maintain access to their music during the hardest moments.
A particular focus on men’s mental health runs through everything we do. Not because others don’t struggle, but because men so rarely have spaces that invite them to be honest about it. Ryan’s story is part of why that matters.
How it works.
Each year the community:
- Awards a grant to a musician in need — covering studio time, instruments, lessons, or whatever the recipient identifies as the barrier
- Hosts the annual Slice of Pie concert, where the grant recipient is announced on stage
- Grows the sticker campaign, keeping Ryan’s name and the men’s mental health conversation alive in the community
The application process is deliberately simple and human. No clinical forms. No lengthy requirements. Just: tell us about your music, and tell us what you’ve been going through.
Administrative Note.
The Slice of Pie Community Fund is held and administered by YouthReach Barrie. Tax receipts are issued by YouthReach Barrie on behalf of all donations made through our CanadaHelps page.