Pickleball’s growing popularity is now extending beyond sport and into social impact. In Iowa City, a local tournament brought together players and community members to raise funds for a pressing issue, hunger, highlighting how the sport is becoming a tool for change.
According to a report by dailyiowan, CommUnity Crisis Services hosted a pickleball fundraiser titled Rally & Rise For Hunger at the GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville on April 19.
The volunteer-driven organisation, which provides emotional, financial and food support, raised around $3,600 through the event, with about 30 players taking part. Sara Barth, the organisation’s event and fundraising manager, said the funds came through a mix of donations and sponsorships.
“We just know pickleball is really hot right now and we thought it’d be a good opportunity to reach some folks,” Barth said.
The event drew support from sponsors including Scheels, Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Selkirk, Pickle Palace, and Micky’s Irish Pub. Beth Wetmore, manager at Micky’s Irish Pub, stressed the importance of backing such initiatives.
“Food shortage is a huge issue and we want to support the community and feed the people as best as we can,” Wetmore said.
The fundraiser comes against a backdrop of rising food insecurity. According to Feeding America, one in eight Iowans and one in six children in the state face hunger. Participants also highlighted the dual appeal of sport and service.
University of Iowa graduate student Nicole Holdgrafer, who partnered Joseph Vasseur in the doubles event, said, “We noticed this one was a fundraiser giving back to the community and so we thought it’d be a good idea to come here.”
“Giving money to get food back into the community and support people was something that we do feel passionate about,” she added.
Despite limited experience, the pair impressed on the court. “I bet we’ll finish top five, that’s my guess,” Vasseur said after their opening win. They eventually finished runners-up.
The tournament was won by Iowa City residents Natalie Hanson and Sarah Altenhofen, who regularly play at Mercer Park and also volunteer at the food bank. “When we saw that they were doing a fundraiser with pickleball, it was kind of a no-brainer, like we want to do that,” Hanson said.
She admitted surprise at the result but welcomed the impact. Hanson said she was shocked they won, but was happy they could help raise money for the food bank and CommUnity Crisis Services. Encouraged by the turnout, organisers are already looking ahead.
“I think it’s a good start to a tournament,” Barth said. “I’d love to do it annually.”
With participation growing and purpose driving engagement, events like this show how pickleball is becoming more than a sport – it is turning into a platform for communities to come together and make a difference.