Pickleball Fundraiser in Little Rock: On Saturday, the non-profit organization Unite to Fight Poverty hosted a Pickleball Tournament fundraiser at the Little Rock Athletic Club. The event aimed to raise money for a crucial cause: helping Little Rock School District students pay off their unpaid school lunch debts, in collaboration with National School Lunch Week.
Supporting Students in Need
All proceeds from the pickleball tournament will go directly to clearing the outstanding balances of student lunches, addressing a growing problem within the district.
The event saw enthusiastic participation, with teams of two competing for victory on the court and for the title of the best-dressed duo, as a fun twist to the tournament. Participants contributed by paying a $20 entry fee, all of which was directed toward paying off school lunch debt.
A Personal Mission
Ciara Callicott, the founder of Unite to Fight Poverty and a former student of the Little Rock School District, explained the importance of the fundraiser.
“I was a student in the Little Rock School District, and I recently had a conversation with someone in administration and they told me about how student lunch prices are going up, but also the ability to pay those student lunch balances are worsening. We’re looking to create change not only by paying off these balances, but hoping broad base to inspire the legislature to bring back free lunches for all students in Arkansas.” – (Ciara Callicott)
Looking Toward Long-Term Change
The pickleball tournament was held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Little Rock Athletic Club‘s pickleball courts, where players and supporters came together for a common cause.
Organizers expressed their commitment to continue raising money throughout the year, with hopes to pay off school lunch debts across the state.
News in Brief: Pickleball Fundraiser in Little Rock
Unite to Fight Poverty hosted a pickleball tournament at the Little Rock Athletic Club, raising funds to pay off unpaid school lunch balances in the Little Rock School District. Participants paid a $20 entry fee, with proceeds going toward helping students struggling to pay for school lunches.
Founder Ciara Callicott aims to spark legislative change for free school lunches. The event, part of National School Lunch Week, is just the beginning, as organizers plan to clear lunch debts across the state throughout the year.
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